John Leonard Hines (21 May 1868 – 13 October 1968) was an American general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1924 to 1926.

Early life and military career Hines was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to Irish parents, Edward and Mary. Having won a competitive examination for a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, Hines, "who had a hard time maintaining passing grades but persevered", graduated 48th in his class of 65 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry of the United States Army on 12 June 1891. While he was there he took an interest in athletics, becoming a member of one of the first football teams at West Point.

His first assignment upon his graduation was to the 2nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Omaha, Nebraska. Hines served with the regiment in Nebraska and later at Fort Harrison, 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 with the 25th Infantry Regiment 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 Brigadier General John J. Pershing.

World War I During World War I, Hines rose rapidly 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—advancing four grades in just sixteen months. He assumed successively larger commands—from regiment to brigade, division, and finally, corps.

Hines, one of the first officers to go to France with John J. Pershing, then a major general, who had been appointed to command the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), was placed in command of the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division in October 1917. He "put his green regiment and its inexperienced officers through rigorous training" during the winter of 1917–1918. This later paid off well "as demonstrated by the regiment's stellar performance" at the Battle of Cantigny in May 1918, "the first offensive by U.S. forces in France".

Hines commanded the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, from May to August, commanding it at the Battle of Soissons "and the occupation of the Saizerais sector", earning him high praise from his division commander, Major General Charles P. Summerall. It was for these actions which earned for himself the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the second-highest decoration for valor in the United States Armed Forces, with the medal's citation reading:

On 16 August, Hines, promoted to major general, assumed command of the 4th Division of the AEF. He commanded the division during the AEF's first major operation at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel the following month and in the first few weeks of the huge Meuse–Argonne offensive which followed.

Hines then was selected by Pershing, now a full general, to succeeded Major General Robert Lee Bullard in command of III Corps, leading it during the final engagements of the war and in the subsequent Allied occupation of the Rhineland, both of which "demonstrated the general's tactical and administrative skills".

For his service during the war he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads:

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 Eighth 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 14 September 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 7 May 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 Ninth 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 15 June 1940.

Hines died in Washington, D.C., at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at age 100. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Family and legacy On 5 May 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 1891Second Lieutenant Regular Army 12 June 1891First Lieutenant Regular Army 26 April 1898Captain Regular Army 5 December 1900Major Regular Army 23 May 1912Lieutenant Colonel Regular Army 15 May 1917Colonel Temporary 5 August 1917Brigadier General National Army 12 April 1918Major General National Army 8 August 1918Brigadier General Regular Army 30 November 1918Major General Regular Army 1 July 1920Major General Retired list 31 May 1932General Retired list 15 June 1940

Awards and decorations

Distinguished Service CrossArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver Star Spanish Campaign MedalArmy of Cuban Occupation MedalPhilippine Campaign MedalMexican Service MedalWorld War I Victory MedalArmy of Occupation of Germany MedalKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (United Kingdom)Commandeur Légion d'honneur (France)Croix de guerre with bronze palm (France)Commander Order of Leopold (Belgium)Knight of the Order of the Crown (Italy)Medal of Solidarity, 1918 (Panama)

References

Bibliography

External links