Johnnie David Hutchins
Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Seaman First Class Johnnie David Hutchins (4 August 1922 - 4 September 1943) was a U.S. Navy sailor who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

Johnnie David Hutchins was born on 4 August 1922 in Weimer, TX.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Seaman First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve.

Place and date: Aboard a landing ship off Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943.

Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous valor above and beyond the call of duty while serving on board a Landing Ship, Tank, during the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943. As the ship on which Hutchins was stationed approached the enemy-occupied beach under a veritable hail of fire from Japanese shore batteries and aerial bombardment, a hostile torpedo pierced the surf and bore down upon the vessel with deadly accuracy. In the tense split seconds before the helmsman could steer clear of the threatening missile, a bomb struck the pilot house, dislodged him from his station, and left the stricken ship helplessly exposed. Fully aware of the dire peril of the situation, Hutchins, although mortally wounded by the shattering explosion, quickly grasped the wheel and exhausted the last of his strength in maneuvering the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. Still clinging to the helm, he eventually succumbed to his injuries, his final thoughts concerned only with the safety of his ship, his final efforts expended toward the security of his mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Honors

USS Johnnie Hutchins (DE-360) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down 6 March 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, TX; launched 2 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Johnnie M. Hutchins, mother of Seaman First Class Hutchins; and commissioned 28 August 1944.

Death and Burial

Seaman First Class Johnnie David Hutchins was killed in action on 4 September 1943. He is buried at Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake, TX.