Johnnie David Hutchins

Johnnie David Hutchins was born on 4 August 1922 in Weimar, Texas, and attended Eagle Lake High School. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve at Houston in November 1942. Less than a year later, the young sailor would give his life protecting his ship and the men aboard her. Texas State Historical Association

Serving as a Seaman First Class aboard USS LST-473, Hutchins took part in the Allied landings near Lae, New Guinea, on 4 September 1943. The operation supported the Australian 9th Division’s advance against Japanese positions. His landing ship belonged to a reinforcement force carrying men and supplies towards the landing area when Japanese aircraft attacked. United States Navy Memorial

As an enemy torpedo approached, a bomb struck the pilothouse, throwing the helmsman from his station and leaving the ship dangerously exposed. Hutchins was mortally wounded by the explosion. Recognising the danger, he seized the wheel and used his remaining strength to manoeuvre the vessel clear of the torpedo. He died still holding the helm. He was 21 years old. Medal of Honor citation

His action gave his shipmates the opportunity to save the damaged vessel. LST-473 was subsequently repaired and returned to operational service, taking part in further landings in the Philippines. The ship’s continued service became an enduring consequence of Hutchins’s final act. The National WWII Museum

Hutchins received the Medal of Honor posthumously. In September 1944, Rear Admiral A. C. Bennett presented the decoration to his mother at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston. He is buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Eagle Lake, Texas. Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Navy also honoured him through the destroyer escort USS Johnnie Hutchins, launched at Orange, Texas, on 2 May 1944. His mother sponsored the ship, with his fiancée, Ruby Mae Butler, serving as maid of honour. His family later donated his Medal of Honor to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, which records the gift under accession number 2001.101.001. Texas State Historical Association, The National WWII Museum