John H. Hilldring

Major General John Henry Hilldring (March 27, 1895 – January 20, 1974) was a senior United States Army officer who fought during both World War I and World War II and served as Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas from 1946 to 1947.

Biography Hilldring was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 27, 1895. He was of Swedish descent, and was educated at Columbia University before transferring to the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1918. He served in the United States Army during World War I, with the rank of first lieutenant, into the infantry. In 1936, he was appointed to the General Staff of the United States Army. With the rank of major general, he became the Commanding General (CG) of the 84th Infantry Division later in 1942. Hilldring retired from the Army in 1946.

On April 12, 1946, the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, nominated Hilldring to be Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas. He was sworn in on April 17, 1946, and held office until August 31, 1947.

In 1950, Hilldring became foreign-operations manager of General Aniline & Film, a Swiss chemical firm that was seized by the U.S. during World War II on suspicion of Nazi domination. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1954, and became the company's president in 1955.

Decorations

Works by John H. Hilldring "What is Our Purpose in Germany?", The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (January 1948) "The Common Market", The International Executive (Summer 1960)