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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant · U.S. Navy

Carlton Barmore Hutchins

Lieutenant Carlton Barmore Hutchins, Navy, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on February 2, 1938 off California Coast, California (Interim 1920–1940).

Interim 1920 - 1940 February 2, 1938Posthumous

Lieutenant Carlton Barmore Hutchins was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on February 2, 1938 off California Coast, California — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. At the time he was serving with U.S. Navy Seaplane PBY-2 No. 0463 (11-P-3). Hutchins was 33 years old.

Hutchins was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. Presentation: Presented to his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Hutchins.

Hutchins was born on September 12, 1904 in Albany, Albany County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. He is buried at Remains not recovered..

★ Aviators & Aircrew★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism as the pilot of the U.S. Navy seaplane PBY-2 No.0463 (11-P-3) while engaged in tactical exercises with the U.S. Fleet on 2 February 1938. Although his plane was badly damaged, Lt. 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 2, 1938).
  • Age at death: 33
  • Resting place: Remains not recovered.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Albany — map
  • Died: California — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. September 12, 1904
    Born in Albany, Albany County, New York
  2. February 2, 1938
    Act of valor — off California Coast, California
    Age 33. U.S. Navy Seaplane PBY-2 No. 0463 (11-P-3) Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Remains not recovered.

Biography

Carlton Barmore Hutchins (September 12, 1904 – February 2, 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.

From the Wikipedia article “Carlton B. Hutchins”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Further reading

More Interim 1920–1940 recipients from New York

Floyd Bennett Machinist · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1926
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.