Carleton B. Hutchins
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| Carleton Barmore Hutchins | |
|---|---|
| September 12, 1904 - 1938 | |
| Place of birth | Albany, New York |
| Place of death | California |
| Allegiance | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1926-1938 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Carleton Barmore Hutchins (1904-1938) was a U.S. Naval aviator who lost his life in a mid-air collision in 1938. Mortally injured, he was able to remain at the controls and allow his surviving crew to parachute to safety. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Hutchins was born in Albany, New York, 12 September 1904 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1926. After serving in battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38) until 1928, he underwent flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida and was designated a naval aviator in February 1929. During the early thirties Hutchins flew fighters from Saratoga (CV-3), scout planes from Concord (CL-10), and studied aeronautical engineering at the California Institute of Technology.
In 1937, he served with a seaplane squadron in the Caribbean and in November was transferred to Patrol Squadron 11 based on Langley, Virginia. During fleet exercises 2 February 1938 off the coast of southern California, Lieutenant Hutchins' seaplane collided in mid-air with another PBY. His citation for the Medal of Honor reads:
Although his plane was badly damaged, Lieutenant Hutchins remained at the controls endeavoring to bring the damaged plane to a safe landing and to afford an opportunity for his crew to escape by parachutes. His cool, calculated conduct contributed principally to the saving of the lives of all who survived. His conduct on this occasion was above and beyond the call of duty.
Lieutenant Hutchins lost his life in the crash and received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
In 1942, the destroyer USS Hutchins (DD-476) was named in his honor.
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
