John Adams Hettinger was born on February 12, 1893 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He served in the Army in both WW1 and WW2. While serving as the Commander of the 128th Infantry Regiment, he was killed in Action in March 1945 while fighting in Luzon. From the 32nd Inf Division Association Website: John A. Hettinger (O-005895), Colonel, is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Reno County, Kansas...Re-interred at Arlington on 06/29/1948. A Cavalryman who had won the Silver Star and the Purple Heart in World War I, Col. Hettinger had been an enlisted man in the Kansas National Guard before he was commissioned in the Regular Army in 1917. Excerpted from: World War II: The U.S. 32nd Infantry Division Battle to Control the Villa Verde Trail: "Fifty shells had poured in on the American position before the enemy launched an infantry assault to dislodge the crippled unit. Two charges crashed into the lines, and twice that night the 1st Battalion, 128th, drove off the Japanese with heavy casualties. Two days later, on the 27th, Colonel John Hettinger, commander of the 128th, was reconnoitering the front when the Japanese spotted his jeep. The vehicle was immediately caught in an artillery barrage. The colonel and his driver made it to a foxhole. Seconds later, however, the foxhole took a direct hit and Hettinger was killed." Distinguished Service Cross Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to John A. Hettinger (0-5895), Colonel (Cavalry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 27 March 1945. Colonel Hettinger's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 95 (1945) Home: Reno County, KS. born 12 Feb. ‘93; son of James and Lula (Adams) Hettinger, 615 Sherman East, Hutchinson, KS; attended Ohio Wesleyan U. ca. ‘13; attended U. of Kans., School of Law, ca. ‘16; married Frances Oppenheimer, father of John A., Jr., David A.; hometown Colorado Springs, CO; enlisted in Kans. NG, Co. E at Hutchinson, KS, likely 2D Kans. Inf.; served during WWI; commissioned at some point; Capt. and Cdr. of Btry. E, 76TH FA Regt., 3D Div. during Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne; transferred to HQ, 2D Bn., 76TH FA Regt.; WIA, gassed, at Montfaucon, listed on 31 Jan. ‘19 casualty list; earned Purple Heart; Roll of Honor of the 76th U.S. Field Artillery states he earned DSC for his actions at Montfaucon and later at Bois de Remoiville on 10 Nov. ‘18 and earned DSM for his actions at Louppy on 10 Nov. ‘18; 32D ID WWII states he earned Silver Star; I haven’t found any additional information about his WWI awards; stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX ca. ‘30; Maj. Gen. William H. Gill’s Chief of Staff when he assumed cmd. of 32D Div. 1 Mar. ‘43; assumed cmd. of 128TH Inf. in Aug. ‘44, succeeded Lt. Col. Herbert A. Smith; KIA 27 Mar. ‘45 by artillery shell on the Villa Verde Trail on Luzon at age 52; he was observing the action along the front line in the 3D Bn. sector when a Japanese artillery barrage opened up, he and his jeep driver sought cover in an old gun position, reinforced with sandbags, it received a direct hit and both were KIA; earned DSC, posthumously, for his actions 27 Mar. ‘45; repatriated and re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 29 Jun. ‘48; sons John A., Jr., and David A. both served in Army and attained rank of Lt. Col.;