Bruno Hochmuth

Bruno Arthur Hochmuth (May 10, 1911 – November 14, 1967) was a United States Marine Corps major general who was killed in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was the first and only Marine Corps division commander to be killed in any war. He was also the first American general officer to be killed in Vietnam itself, although U.S. Air Force Major General William Crumm had been killed on July 6, 1967, in a B-52 bomber collision over the South China Sea. Hochmuth, four other marines, and a South Vietnamese Army aide were killed when a UH-1E Huey helicopter they were riding in from VMO-3 exploded and crashed five miles northwest of Huế.

Early life and career Hochmuth was born on May 10, 1911, in Houston, Texas. He graduated from high school in 1930 and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education from Texas A&M University in June 1935. He was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in July 1935, upon resigning a U.S. Army Reserve commission.

After completing The Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, he joined the Marine detachment at the Texas Centennial in Dallas, Texas, in June 1936. In December 1936, he was transferred to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines in San Diego, California. Departing for Shanghai, China, in August 1937, he served briefly with the 6th Marines, then served two and a half years duty with the 4th Marines. While overseas, he was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1938. He remained with the 4th Marines in China until 1940.

Following the surrender of Japan he was the executive officer of the 4th Marine Regiment when they landed in Japan on August 29, 1945. As executive officer of the 4th Marines, he made the initial landing on Japan August 29, 1945, and on September 2 of the same year attended the formal surrender ceremony at Yokosuka. He then commanded the Marine Barracks at Yokosuka for almost two years. For his service there, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.

The details of his death were later described by his subordinate and commanding officer, 4th Marine Regiment, Colonel William L. Dick. Dick was located at his headquarters at Phu Bai Combat Base, when he learned of the crash around 14:00 on 14 November. Since he had a helicopter sitting on a pad at his headquarters, Dick, accompanied by his operations officer, Major James D. Beans and the regimental sergeant major, quickly reached the crash scene. Dick described the rescue attempt:

Likely general's personal pistol (1919 civilian Government Model with A1 parts); later presented to his former aide-de-camp CAPT John C. Morris, Jr.

For his service during this period, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart. Hochmuth was buried with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, on November 18, 1967. An avenue is named after him at MCRD San Diego. The Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award and Flag for Military Achievement was established in 1976 in his honor. It is given to the top cadet unit in military achievement.