David William Hutchison

For the Wisconsin politician, see David E. Hutchison.

David William Hutchison
Born	(1908-05-21)May 21, 1908 Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Died	September 24, 1982(1982-09-24) (aged 74)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Air Force
Rank	Major General

David William Hutchison (May 21, 1908 – September 24, 1982) was a Major General in the United States Air Force.

Biography

Hutchison was born on May 21, 1908 in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. He died on September 24, 1982.

His father, Charles W. Hutchison, was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate.

Career

Hutchison graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1931. During World War II Hutchison served with the Fifth Air Force and later he held command of the 308th Bombardment Wing. Conflicts he participated in while in command include the Battle of Biak, the Battle of Leyte, and the Battle of Luzon. Following the war he was given command of the 314th Air Division, the 97th Bombardment Wing, the 21st Air Division, and the 5th Air Division before being selected as the first commander of the Seventeenth Air Force. During his time in command of the 21st Division, which at the time was based at Forbes Air Force Base in Shawnee County, Kansas, he received a letter of commendation from Governor Edward F. Arn for relief efforts during flooding from the Kansas River in 1951. In 1954 he was named Deputy for Operations of Tactical Air Command and in 1958 was given command of the Ninth Air Force.

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster and bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Distinguished Service Order of the United Kingdom.