Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company C, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seventh", U.S. Army (Company C, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seventh", U.S. Army)

Second Lieutenant Robert E. Hutchins (Army Serial Number 01019175), Infantry, Company "C", 31st Tank Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 14 August 1944, in the area of Chartres, France. While leading his platoon of tanks a group of well emplaced enemy heavy weapons were encountered. 2nd Lt. Hutchins immediately ordered the platoon to advance upon the positions which were firing at point blank range. In the advance the 37-mm gun of his tank was put out of action. He thereupon ordered his tank to overrun a gun position consisting of two 40-mm guns and one 20-mm gun. Approximately 50 prisoners were taken. 2d Lt. Hutchins sustained a cheek wound, in the engagement. The elimination of the strategic enemy position is directly attributable to his quick and courageous decision.

Headquarters, 7th Armored Division, General Orders No. 47 (13 September 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company B, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seventh", U.S. Army (Company B, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seventh", U.S. Army)

Captain (then First Lieutenant) Robert E. Hutchins (Army Serial Number 01019175) Infantry, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by gallantry in action on 19 January 1945, in the area of Born, Belgium. When a small group of his command was in perilous position, besieged by numerically superior enemy, Captain Hutchins braved death to obtain medical aid for the wounded and relief for his hard-pressed fighters. Finding the force under heavy fire in a house only 100 yards from the Germans, Captain Hutchins stripped himself of all equipment and crawled over 150 yards in deep snow to reach medical personnel and report the position of his men, two of whom were casualties. He then walked for over a mile to secure a platoon of tanks and infantry and personally led them in knocking out the hostile force that was threatening his troops. Captain Hutchins' courageous action, which saved his men from death or capture, is keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

Headquarters, 7th Armored Division, General Orders No. 87 (30 May 1945).