Joseph C. Hutchinson

Joseph Carson Hutchison (September 17, 1894 – December 7, 1982) was a politician, businessman and decorated officer in the United States Army and Florida National Guard during World War II. He is most noted for his service as the assistant commander of the 31st Infantry Division during the Battle of Mindanao in 1945, when he accepted the surrender of the Japanese 35th Army under lieutenant general Gyosaku Morozumi on behalf of the Allied command.

Early career

Joseph C. Hutchinson was born on September 17, 1894, in Cross Hill, South Carolina as the son of Joseph C. and Elizabeth Cauthen Hutchison. He attended the public schools in Ninety Six, South Carolina, and graduated from high school there in summer of 1912. Hutchinson then enrolled the Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, completing his courses in three years, he graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1915. While at the university, he was a Class Vice President and was active in the varsity football club, which he captained in his Senior year.

Following his promotion to sergeant in April 1918, Hutchinson was transferred to the 333rd Field Artillery Regiment at Camp Grant, Illinois. His regiment embarked for France in August that year as a part of the 86th Division and after its arrival in Europe, Hutchinson was commissioned a second lieutenant in the field artillery on September 1, 1918.

He retired from the Florida National Guard on February 29, 1952, and was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general in the Florida National Guard for his distinguished service during the war. Hutchinson then served as a member of the Seminole County Commission and served as its chairman in 1960–1964.

The General Joseph C. Hutchinson Parkway was named in his honor in 1963 (Until 1963, the stretch of two-lane pavement between U.S. Highway 17–92 and County Road 427 was known as Pennsylvania Parkway). In 1974, Hutchinson also received an annual Randall Chase Memorial Award for outstanding citizenship from the Kiwanis.

Lieutenant General Joseph C. Hutchinson died after a long illness on December 7, 1982, aged 88, in Sanford, Florida. He was buried at Evergreen Municipal Cemetery in Sanford. He was married to Annie Caldwell Whitner and they had two daughters.

Decorations

Here is the list of Hutchinson's decorations with ribbon bar:

1st RowSilver StarBronze Star MedalAir Medal 2nd RowWorld War I Victory Medal with one battle claspAmerican Defense Service MedalAsiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with three 3/16-inch service stars3rd RowAmerican Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory MedalPhilippine Liberation Medal with one star