Robert Steven Hutchinson II
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Robert Steven Hutchinson II was born on 20 January 1946, the son of Robert S. and Pauline R. Hutchinson.

On 16 February 1968, then-Second Lieutenant Robert Steven Hutchinson II was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, elements of Company A were conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation in the vicinity of Tay Ninh when 2LT Hutchinson's platoon came under attack by antitank rockets, rifle grenades, automatic weapons and small arms fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well-fortified bunkers. He began directing the fire of his men on the enemy, and, after an armored personnel carrier (APC) had crashed through a brick wall in front of the enemy positions, he led his men through the opening in an assault against the insurgents. When heavy casualties were sustained, 2LT Hutchinson withdrew his men to regroup, covering their movement with his own fire. As the Viet Cong began a counter-assault, he remained in his exposed position and fired into the charging Viet Cong ranks. Although an enemy rocket exploded near him, 2LT Hutchinson continued to hold his position until his men had cleared the area. After supervising evacuation of the wounded, he reorganized his men for another assault on the Viet Cong positions. While closing on the enemy, he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire. His courageous actions played a great role in the eventual defeat of the enemy force. 2LT Hutchinson's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Hutchinson received a posthumous promotion to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert S. Hutchinson, II (ASN: 0-5337729), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 16 February 1968 while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, elements of Company A were conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation in the vicinity of Tay Ninh when Lieutenant Hutchinson's platoon came under attack by antitank rockets, rifle grenades, automatic weapons and small arms fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well-fortified bunkers. Without hesitation, he immediately began directing the fire of his men on the enemy, and, after an armored personnel carrier had crashed through a brick wall in front of the enemy positions, he led his men through the opening in an assault against the insurgents. When heavy casualties were sustained, Lieutenant Hutchinson withdrew his men to regroup, covering their movement with his own fire. As the Viet Cong began a counter-assault, he remained in his exposed position and fired into the charging Viet Cong ranks. Even though an enemy rocket exploded near him, Lieutenant Hutchinson continued to hold his position until his men had cleared the area. After supervising evacuation of the wounded, he again reorganized his men for another assault on the Viet Cong positions. While closing on the enemy, he was mortally wounded by automatic weapons fire. His courageous actions and determination were responsible for the eventual defeat of the fanatical enemy force. Lieutenant Hutchinson's extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 80 (December 16, 1968)

Honors

The name Robert S Hutchinson II is located on Panel 39E Line 61 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

First Lieutenant Robert Steven Hutchinson II is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA.

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