John H. Hilldring

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John Henry Hilldring
File:John H Hilldring.jpg
John H. Hilldring
Born March 27, 1895
New Rochelle, New York
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch Emblem of the United States Department of the Army.svg United States Army
Years of service 1917 – 1946
Rank US-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Commands held 84th Infantry Division (United States) 84th Infantry Division
Old TDS Patch.svg Civil Affairs Division
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal (2)

John Henry Hilldring (March 27, 1895 - January 20, 1974) was a United States General during World War II and served as Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas from 1946 to 1947.

Biography

John H. Hilldring was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 27, 1895.[1] He was of Swedish descent.[2] He was educated at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1918.[3] He served in the United States Army during World War I, with the rank of First Lieutenant.[1] He saw action in France and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[1]

Hilldring went on to become a career officer in the Army.[2] In this capacity, he was posted in the Philippines.[4] In 1936, he was appointed to the General Staff of the United States Army.[2] With the U.S.' entry into World War II, Hilldring became Assistant Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1942.[5] With the rank of Major General, he became the commanding general of the 84th Division later in 1942.[5] In 1943, he became the Chief of the Army's Civil Affairs Division.[5] In this capacity, he served as a U.S. delegate at the Potsdam Conference.[6] Hilldring retired from the Army in 1946.

On April 12, 1946, President of the United States nominated Hilldring to be Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas.[7] He was sworn in on April 17, 1946, and held office until August 31, 1947.[7]

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.[6] He was promoted to executive vice president in 1954, and became the company's president in 1955.[6]

Decorations

Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
World War I Victory Medal with five Battle clasp
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg World War II Victory Medal

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)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hilldring's Distinguished Service Cross Citation
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Munzinger Profile of Hilldring
  3. List of Winners of the University of Connecticut Distinguished Alumni Award
  4. Dale M. Hellegers, We the Japanese People: World War II and the Origins of the Japanese Constitution (Stanford University Press, 2001), p. 162
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Profile from Generals.dk
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "PERSONNEL: Changes of the Week, Feb. 7, 1955", Time, Feb. 7, 1955
  7. 7.0 7.1 Profile from the State Department Historian
Government offices
Preceded by
New Office
Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas
April 17, 1946 – August 31, 1947
Succeeded by
Charles E. Saltzman