USS Johnnie Hutchins

Johnnie David Hutchins was born in Weimer, Tex., 4 August 1922 and enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Houston 17 November 1942. He underwent landing craft training and in April 1943 was assigned to LST-4T3. During the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943, the LST's were under heavy air attack. As the ship approached the beach, a torpedo was spotted heading directly for it. Just then a bomb struck the pilot house, dislodging the helmsman before he had a chance to turn away. In the words of his posthumous citation: "... 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...." For his extraordinary gallantry Seaman First Class Hutchins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Johnnie Hutchins (DE-360) was laid down 6 March 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Tex.; launched 2 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Johnnie M. Hutchins, mother of Seaman First Class Hutchins; and commissioned 28 August 1944, Comdr. H. M. Godsey in command.

The new escort vessel sailed for shakedown training out of Bermuda 11 September 1944, and 5 days later encountered the survivors of destroyer Warrington, sunk in a hurricane oft the East Coast. Johnnie Hutchins rescued 34 officers and men and, after transporting them to Norfolk, continued to Bermuda. The ship completed exhaustive shakedown exercises and arrived Boston 25 October 1944 for brief coastal convoy duties between that port and Norfolk.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Johnnie Hutchins (DE-360)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.