Calvin R. Hutto was born in Tenaha, Shelby County, Texas on September 5th, 1916 to Mr. and Mrs. (Ruby) Henry W. Hutto and was the oldest of eight children. He attended grade and high schools in Shelby County and was married to the late Mildred Lorean Bearends.
Mr. Hutto joined the US Army on March 20, 1941 at Fort Sam Houston and was assigned to the 515th Coastal Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft). He served over 21 years in the Armed Forces retiring at Harlingen AFB, Texas on June 30, 1962 in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7). From April 8, 1942 to September 4, 1945, he was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
The following are excerpts from an article titled “The Price of Freedom” published in the Noncommissioned Officers Association magazine about Mr. Hutto’s experiences.
“The day of surrender arrived on the 8th of April 1942. The remaining troops were rounded up and out of a total of 20,000 men, about 200 were lucky enough to escape the “Death March”. Sgt. Hutto was one of those chosen to ride to Camp O’Donnel which was north of Clark Field (Philippines). While he was there his primary duty was burying American dead – those who fell as a result of battle, fatigue, starvation, dysentery, and Japanese brutality from the infamous “Bataan Death March.” The men existed on a limited fare of discarded wormy rice, thin vegetable soup and occasionally small amounts of tainted fish or meat…..For some unknown reason about the middle of 1942, the Japanese moved the Americans from O’Donnel to Cabanatuan by what apparently started out to be another “Death” March. This did not happen and Sgt. Hutto was lucky again and after several weeks was shipped out to a work detail with about fifty others at his original post, Clark Field. He and others were forced to help maintain the runway, such as cutting grass, picking up and hauling rock off the runway, loading, unloading and storing of 50 gallon drums of gasoline. They worked rain or shine and many had nothing more to wear than a “G” string or a pair of shorts they were able to sew together out of pieces of old canvas they were able to scrounge…..There was one thing that was missing for the first year and that was mail. It wasn’t until July 1943 that Sgt. Hutto received his first mail, 52 letters in two mail calls!
Those experiences at Clark Field came to an end in September of 1944 when the men were shipped back to Manila and Billibid Prison. The more gruesome adventure was about to come. On October 1, 1944, 550 GIs who were little more than skeletons were forced into the compartment of a very small Japanese cargo vessel which had recently held coal and horses. The stench and filth were nauseating, the degradation being heightened by the inability of the men to move around at all. This hell lasted for 38 days as the convoy was raided by US submarines continually and no one knows to this day how they missed this tub of human misery……They eventually reached Formosa on November 7, 1944 where the prisoners were interred for several months in various camps. This 38 day voyage cost the lives of 38 good men who were buried at sea Japanese style; that is simply dumped over the side…..During the balance of November 1944 and until about January 22, 1945, 20 men out of a group of 60 died because of the ordeal of the past 38 days. Sgt. Hutto was one of the 40 survivors of this group who were loaded into another ship for Japan……It was February 13, 1945 that the ship finally reach Mojii, Japan which is about 250 miles south of Tokyo. The men were herded on a train and sent to the Japanese capitol. They worked trying to convert a soya bean factory into an aluminum plant……He then worked in a steel mill until August 10, 1945, stoking furnaces and holding hot steel for the power hammers. On this date the guards suddenly became very abusive and unreasonable and for no apparent reason would kick and club the POW’s. Of course there was no way for the POW’s to know at this point that the US had dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Also this was the date all work stopped and the men were told they were being given a day of rest. This immediately aroused speculation and curiosity as it was an unheard of thing for the Japanese to suddenly become concerned or care about the POWs. On August 12, 1945 the Japanese according to their custom, apologized to the men for their bestial treatment and began to release the camp to the POWs. It wasn’t until August 15, that the news was definitely known that the war was over…..On September 4th, 1945 the prisoners were released to American forces and started their long journey home…..In Cal Hutto’s mind, the worst was over but not forgotten – nor would it ever be – memories are indestructible, especially when they are based on war and some of it severest consequence”
His military decorations include the Prisoner of War Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Defense Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award and 41st Air Division Outstanding Service Award. Mr. Hutto was a founding member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. I thank Ruby Everitt who is a niece of Mr. Hutto for providing the photo and article.
Mr. Hutto passed away on February 10, 1972 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas (section V, site 576). At the time of his death he was survived by wife Mildred, daughter Betty Hadden and son Glen. Mildred died five years later on August 20th, 1977 and is buried next to Calvin.
Mr. Hutto joined the US Army on March 20, 1941 at Fort Sam Houston and was assigned to the 515th Coastal Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft). He served over 21 years in the Armed Forces retiring at Harlingen AFB, Texas on June 30, 1962 in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7). From April 8, 1942 to September 4, 1945, he was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
The following are excerpts from an article titled “The Price of Freedom” published in the Noncommissioned Officers Association magazine about Mr. Hutto’s experiences.
“The day of surrender arrived on the 8th of April 1942. The remaining troops were rounded up and out of a total of 20,000 men, about 200 were lucky enough to escape the “Death March”. Sgt. Hutto was one of those chosen to ride to Camp O’Donnel which was north of Clark Field (Philippines). While he was there his primary duty was burying American dead – those who fell as a result of battle, fatigue, starvation, dysentery, and Japanese brutality from the infamous “Bataan Death March.” The men existed on a limited fare of discarded wormy rice, thin vegetable soup and occasionally small amounts of tainted fish or meat…..For some unknown reason about the middle of 1942, the Japanese moved the Americans from O’Donnel to Cabanatuan by what apparently started out to be another “Death” March. This did not happen and Sgt. Hutto was lucky again and after several weeks was shipped out to a work detail with about fifty others at his original post, Clark Field. He and others were forced to help maintain the runway, such as cutting grass, picking up and hauling rock off the runway, loading, unloading and storing of 50 gallon drums of gasoline. They worked rain or shine and many had nothing more to wear than a “G” string or a pair of shorts they were able to sew together out of pieces of old canvas they were able to scrounge…..There was one thing that was missing for the first year and that was mail. It wasn’t until July 1943 that Sgt. Hutto received his first mail, 52 letters in two mail calls!
Those experiences at Clark Field came to an end in September of 1944 when the men were shipped back to Manila and Billibid Prison. The more gruesome adventure was about to come. On October 1, 1944, 550 GIs who were little more than skeletons were forced into the compartment of a very small Japanese cargo vessel which had recently held coal and horses. The stench and filth were nauseating, the degradation being heightened by the inability of the men to move around at all. This hell lasted for 38 days as the convoy was raided by US submarines continually and no one knows to this day how they missed this tub of human misery……They eventually reached Formosa on November 7, 1944 where the prisoners were interred for several months in various camps. This 38 day voyage cost the lives of 38 good men who were buried at sea Japanese style; that is simply dumped over the side…..During the balance of November 1944 and until about January 22, 1945, 20 men out of a group of 60 died because of the ordeal of the past 38 days. Sgt. Hutto was one of the 40 survivors of this group who were loaded into another ship for Japan……It was February 13, 1945 that the ship finally reach Mojii, Japan which is about 250 miles south of Tokyo. The men were herded on a train and sent to the Japanese capitol. They worked trying to convert a soya bean factory into an aluminum plant……He then worked in a steel mill until August 10, 1945, stoking furnaces and holding hot steel for the power hammers. On this date the guards suddenly became very abusive and unreasonable and for no apparent reason would kick and club the POW’s. Of course there was no way for the POW’s to know at this point that the US had dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Also this was the date all work stopped and the men were told they were being given a day of rest. This immediately aroused speculation and curiosity as it was an unheard of thing for the Japanese to suddenly become concerned or care about the POWs. On August 12, 1945 the Japanese according to their custom, apologized to the men for their bestial treatment and began to release the camp to the POWs. It wasn’t until August 15, that the news was definitely known that the war was over…..On September 4th, 1945 the prisoners were released to American forces and started their long journey home…..In Cal Hutto’s mind, the worst was over but not forgotten – nor would it ever be – memories are indestructible, especially when they are based on war and some of it severest consequence”
His military decorations include the Prisoner of War Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Defense Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award and 41st Air Division Outstanding Service Award. Mr. Hutto was a founding member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. I thank Ruby Everitt who is a niece of Mr. Hutto for providing the photo and article.
Mr. Hutto passed away on February 10, 1972 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas (section V, site 576). At the time of his death he was survived by wife Mildred, daughter Betty Hadden and son Glen. Mildred died five years later on August 20th, 1977 and is buried next to Calvin.
Calvin R. Hutto was born in Tenaha, Shelby County, Texas on September 5th, 1916 to Mr. and Mrs. (Ruby) Henry W. Hutto and was the oldest of eight children. He attended grade and high schools in Shelby County and was married to the late Mildred Lorean Bearends.
Mr. Hutto joined the US Army on March 20, 1941 at Fort Sam Houston and was assigned to the 515th Coastal Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft). He served over 21 years in the Armed Forces retiring at Harlingen AFB, Texas on June 30, 1962 in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7). From April 8, 1942 to September 4, 1945, he was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
The following are excerpts from an article titled “The Price of Freedom” published in the Noncommissioned Officers Association magazine about Mr. Hutto’s experiences.
“The day of surrender arrived on the 8th of April 1942. The remaining troops were rounded up and out of a total of 20,000 men, about 200 were lucky enough to escape the “Death March”. Sgt. Hutto was one of those chosen to ride to Camp O’Donnel which was north of Clark Field (Philippines). While he was there his primary duty was burying American dead – those who fell as a result of battle, fatigue, starvation, dysentery, and Japanese brutality from the infamous “Bataan Death March.” The men existed on a limited fare of discarded wormy rice, thin vegetable soup and occasionally small amounts of tainted fish or meat…..For some unknown reason about the middle of 1942, the Japanese moved the Americans from O’Donnel to Cabanatuan by what apparently started out to be another “Death” March. This did not happen and Sgt. Hutto was lucky again and after several weeks was shipped out to a work detail with about fifty others at his original post, Clark Field. He and others were forced to help maintain the runway, such as cutting grass, picking up and hauling rock off the runway, loading, unloading and storing of 50 gallon drums of gasoline. They worked rain or shine and many had nothing more to wear than a “G” string or a pair of shorts they were able to sew together out of pieces of old canvas they were able to scrounge…..There was one thing that was missing for the first year and that was mail. It wasn’t until July 1943 that Sgt. Hutto received his first mail, 52 letters in two mail calls!
Those experiences at Clark Field came to an end in September of 1944 when the men were shipped back to Manila and Billibid Prison. The more gruesome adventure was about to come. On October 1, 1944, 550 GIs who were little more than skeletons were forced into the compartment of a very small Japanese cargo vessel which had recently held coal and horses. The stench and filth were nauseating, the degradation being heightened by the inability of the men to move around at all. This hell lasted for 38 days as the convoy was raided by US submarines continually and no one knows to this day how they missed this tub of human misery……They eventually reached Formosa on November 7, 1944 where the prisoners were interred for several months in various camps. This 38 day voyage cost the lives of 38 good men who were buried at sea Japanese style; that is simply dumped over the side…..During the balance of November 1944 and until about January 22, 1945, 20 men out of a group of 60 died because of the ordeal of the past 38 days. Sgt. Hutto was one of the 40 survivors of this group who were loaded into another ship for Japan……It was February 13, 1945 that the ship finally reach Mojii, Japan which is about 250 miles south of Tokyo. The men were herded on a train and sent to the Japanese capitol. They worked trying to convert a soya bean factory into an aluminum plant……He then worked in a steel mill until August 10, 1945, stoking furnaces and holding hot steel for the power hammers. On this date the guards suddenly became very abusive and unreasonable and for no apparent reason would kick and club the POW’s. Of course there was no way for the POW’s to know at this point that the US had dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Also this was the date all work stopped and the men were told they were being given a day of rest. This immediately aroused speculation and curiosity as it was an unheard of thing for the Japanese to suddenly become concerned or care about the POWs. On August 12, 1945 the Japanese according to their custom, apologized to the men for their bestial treatment and began to release the camp to the POWs. It wasn’t until August 15, that the news was definitely known that the war was over…..On September 4th, 1945 the prisoners were released to American forces and started their long journey home…..In Cal Hutto’s mind, the worst was over but not forgotten – nor would it ever be – memories are indestructible, especially when they are based on war and some of it severest consequence”
His military decorations include the Prisoner of War Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Defense Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award and 41st Air Division Outstanding Service Award. Mr. Hutto was a founding member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. I thank Ruby Everitt who is a niece of Mr. Hutto for providing the photo and article.
Mr. Hutto passed away on February 10, 1972 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas (section V, site 576). At the time of his death he was survived by wife Mildred, daughter Betty Hadden and son Glen. Mildred died five years later on August 20th, 1977 and is buried next to Calvin.
Mr. Hutto joined the US Army on March 20, 1941 at Fort Sam Houston and was assigned to the 515th Coastal Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft). He served over 21 years in the Armed Forces retiring at Harlingen AFB, Texas on June 30, 1962 in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7). From April 8, 1942 to September 4, 1945, he was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.
The following are excerpts from an article titled “The Price of Freedom” published in the Noncommissioned Officers Association magazine about Mr. Hutto’s experiences.
“The day of surrender arrived on the 8th of April 1942. The remaining troops were rounded up and out of a total of 20,000 men, about 200 were lucky enough to escape the “Death March”. Sgt. Hutto was one of those chosen to ride to Camp O’Donnel which was north of Clark Field (Philippines). While he was there his primary duty was burying American dead – those who fell as a result of battle, fatigue, starvation, dysentery, and Japanese brutality from the infamous “Bataan Death March.” The men existed on a limited fare of discarded wormy rice, thin vegetable soup and occasionally small amounts of tainted fish or meat…..For some unknown reason about the middle of 1942, the Japanese moved the Americans from O’Donnel to Cabanatuan by what apparently started out to be another “Death” March. This did not happen and Sgt. Hutto was lucky again and after several weeks was shipped out to a work detail with about fifty others at his original post, Clark Field. He and others were forced to help maintain the runway, such as cutting grass, picking up and hauling rock off the runway, loading, unloading and storing of 50 gallon drums of gasoline. They worked rain or shine and many had nothing more to wear than a “G” string or a pair of shorts they were able to sew together out of pieces of old canvas they were able to scrounge…..There was one thing that was missing for the first year and that was mail. It wasn’t until July 1943 that Sgt. Hutto received his first mail, 52 letters in two mail calls!
Those experiences at Clark Field came to an end in September of 1944 when the men were shipped back to Manila and Billibid Prison. The more gruesome adventure was about to come. On October 1, 1944, 550 GIs who were little more than skeletons were forced into the compartment of a very small Japanese cargo vessel which had recently held coal and horses. The stench and filth were nauseating, the degradation being heightened by the inability of the men to move around at all. This hell lasted for 38 days as the convoy was raided by US submarines continually and no one knows to this day how they missed this tub of human misery……They eventually reached Formosa on November 7, 1944 where the prisoners were interred for several months in various camps. This 38 day voyage cost the lives of 38 good men who were buried at sea Japanese style; that is simply dumped over the side…..During the balance of November 1944 and until about January 22, 1945, 20 men out of a group of 60 died because of the ordeal of the past 38 days. Sgt. Hutto was one of the 40 survivors of this group who were loaded into another ship for Japan……It was February 13, 1945 that the ship finally reach Mojii, Japan which is about 250 miles south of Tokyo. The men were herded on a train and sent to the Japanese capitol. They worked trying to convert a soya bean factory into an aluminum plant……He then worked in a steel mill until August 10, 1945, stoking furnaces and holding hot steel for the power hammers. On this date the guards suddenly became very abusive and unreasonable and for no apparent reason would kick and club the POW’s. Of course there was no way for the POW’s to know at this point that the US had dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Also this was the date all work stopped and the men were told they were being given a day of rest. This immediately aroused speculation and curiosity as it was an unheard of thing for the Japanese to suddenly become concerned or care about the POWs. On August 12, 1945 the Japanese according to their custom, apologized to the men for their bestial treatment and began to release the camp to the POWs. It wasn’t until August 15, that the news was definitely known that the war was over…..On September 4th, 1945 the prisoners were released to American forces and started their long journey home…..In Cal Hutto’s mind, the worst was over but not forgotten – nor would it ever be – memories are indestructible, especially when they are based on war and some of it severest consequence”
His military decorations include the Prisoner of War Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Defense Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award and 41st Air Division Outstanding Service Award. Mr. Hutto was a founding member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. I thank Ruby Everitt who is a niece of Mr. Hutto for providing the photo and article.
Mr. Hutto passed away on February 10, 1972 and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas (section V, site 576). At the time of his death he was survived by wife Mildred, daughter Betty Hadden and son Glen. Mildred died five years later on August 20th, 1977 and is buried next to Calvin.
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