John L. Hines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Leonard Hines
|
|
|---|---|
_LCCN2016849427_(cropped).jpg)
General John L. Hines
|
|
| Born | May 21, 1868 White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 1968 (aged 100) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried |
Arlington National Cemetery, Section 7, Lot 8001
|
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1891–1932 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Philippine Department IX Corps Area Chief of Staff of the United States Army VIII Corps Area 2nd Division 5th Division III Corps 4th Division 1st Brigade, 1st Division |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
John Leonard Hines (May 21, 1868 – October 13, 1968) was an American general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1924 to 1926.
Contents
Early career
Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to Irish parents, Edward and Mary, Hines graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry on June 12, 1891. His first assignment was to the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Hines served with the regiment in Nebraska and Montana from 1891 to 1898, where he married Harriet Schofield "Rita" Wherry, one of the daughters of Brigadier General William M. Wherry and Alice Grammer.
Hines served in Cuba during the Spanish–American War and in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War. In 1898 he was elected as a Veteran Companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. He was adjutant of the Mexican Punitive Expedition in 1916–17 under General John J. Pershing.
World War I
During World War I, Hines experienced a meteoric rise in rank as he was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel in May 1917, then to colonel (November 1917), brigadier general (April 1918), and, in August 1918, to temporary major general—four grades in 16 months. He assumed successively larger commands—from regiment to brigade, division, and finally, corps.
Hines commanded the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, from May to August 1918, during which time he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest decoration for valor in the United States Army, for "extraordinary heroism in action near Berzy-le-Sec, France, July 21, 1918."
On August 16, 1918, Hines assumed command of the 4th Division. He commanded the division during the American operations at St. Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne until October 11, 1918. Hines then took command of III Corps, leading it during the final engagements of the war and the occupation of Germany.
Post war
Hines was promoted to permanent major general in March 1921. His post-war commands included the 5th Division, the 2nd Division and the VIII Corps Area.
In December 1922, Hines was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, and became Chief of Staff of the United States Army on September 14, 1924. His army biography states that as Chief of Staff, he "stressed the need for balance in funding and personnel for all parts of the permanent establishment, pointed up the effects of strength deficiencies upon Army capability to meet the provisions of the National Defense Act of 1920, and urged action on housing and promotions to promote personnel retention."
On May 7, 1925 Hines dedicated the landing field at the Vancouver Barracks in Vancouver, Washington, to the memory of Lieutenant Alexander Pearson Jr., who was killed on September 2, 1924 in Fairfield, Ohio while flying the Curtiss R-8 in preparation for the upcoming Pulitzer Trophy Race.
In 1926, after completing his tour as Army Chief of Staff, Hines took command of the IX Corps Area in California, which he led until 1930. In 1930, Hines became commanding general of the Philippine Department.
Retirement
Hines retired in May 1932. He was promoted to the rank of full (4 star) general on the retired list by a Special Act of Congress on June 15, 1940.
Hines died in Washington, D.C., at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at age 100. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. As of 2006[update], Hines is one of only two American generals to have celebrated their 100th birthdays, the other being James Van Fleet.
Family and legacy
On May 5, 2000, the United States Postal Service issued the Distinguished Soldiers stamps in which Hines was honored.
Hines' son, Colonel John L. Hines Jr. (1905–1986), served in World War II with the 6th Armored Division, commanding the division's Combat Command A from November 1944 to March 1945. He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and was severely wounded outside Frankfurt, Germany when an 88 mm antitank shell grazed his face.
Dates of rank
Note that the date indicated is the date of rank. In some cases, the promotion was accepted at a later date.
| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| No pin insignia in 1891 | Second Lieutenant | Regular Army | June 12, 1891 |
 |
First Lieutenant | Regular Army | April 26, 1898 |
 |
Captain | Regular Army | December 5, 1900 |
 |
Major | Regular Army | May 23, 1912 |
 |
Lieutenant Colonel | Regular Army | May 15, 1917 |
 |
Colonel | Temporary | August 5, 1917 |
 |
Brigadier General | National Army | April 12, 1918 |
 |
Major General | National Army | August 8, 1918 |
|
Brigadier General | Regular Army | November 30, 1918 |
|
Major General | Regular Army | July 1, 1920 |
|
Major General | Retired list | May 31, 1932 |
 |
General | Retired list | June 15, 1940 |
Awards and decorations
Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Spanish Campaign Medal
Army of Cuban Occupation Medal
Philippine Campaign Medal
Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (UK)
Commandeur Légion d'honneur (France)
Croix de guerre (France)
Commander Order of Léopold (Belgium)
Order of the Crown (Italy)
Medal of Solidarity, 1918 (Panama)
Images for kids
-
Hunter Liggett (1st on the left) with fellow US generals (left to right) Robert Bullard, James McAndrew, James Harbord, Charles Summerall, John Hines, Edward Lewis, Michael Lenihan, William Mitchell and Frank Parker, after having been decorated with the "Commandeur" of the Légion d'honneur by Marshal Philippe Pétain in 1919.
