Bruno Arthur Hochmuth

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Navy Commendation w/Star, Presidential Unit Citation w/2 Stars, China Service,
American Defense Service w/Base Clasp, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/3 Stars,
World War II Victory, Navy Occupation Service w/Asia Clasp, National Defense Service w/Star, Vietnam
Service w/Star, National Order of the Republic of Vietnam-5th Class, Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Device, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/PaIm
Commissioned in July 1935, fought at the Battle of Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa during World War II. On November 14,
1967, General Hochmuth and four Mhers were killed when their UH-IE Helicopter exploded and crashed approximately 5 miles
northwest of Hue Vietnam. At that time he was the most senior officer killed in the war.

 

Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth

 

MAJOR GENERAL

BRUNO A. HOCHMUTH, USMC

(DECEASED)

Bruno Arthur Hochmuth was born 10 May 1911, in Houston, Texas, and completed high school there in 1930. In June 1935, he was graduated from Texas A&M College, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in July 1935, upon resigning a U.S. Army Reserve commission.

After completing Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, he joined the Marine Detachment at the Texas Centennial, Dallas, Texas, in June 1936. In December 1936, he was transferred to the 2d Battalion, 6th Marines in San Diego, California. Departing for Shanghai, China, in August 1937, he served briefly with the 6th Marines, then served two and a half years duty with the 4th Marines. While overseas, he was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1938. Upon his return to the United States, Lieutenant Hochmuth was attached to the 7th Defense Battalion in September 1940. The following February, he embarked with the battalion for American and British Samoa. He was promoted to major in May 1942.

In March 1943, after two years overseas, he was assigned briefly to the Antiaircraft Artillery School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From June 1943 until May 1944, Major Hochmuth served as Assistant Director, Command and Staff School, Quantico, Virginia, prior to embarking again for the Pacific area. He participated in the campaigns at Saipan and Tinian as Assistant Operations Officer with the 3d Amphibious Corps, and later served as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, in the Okinawa campaign. For meritorious service during the assault on Okinawa, he was awarded a Legion of Merit with Combat “V”.

As Executive Officer of the 4th Marines, he made the initial landing on Japan 29 August 1945, and on 2 September of the same year attended the formal surrender ceremony at Yokosuka. He then commanded the Marine Barracks at Yokosuka for almost two years. For his service there, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.

Returning to the United States in August 1947, he saw three years duty at Headquarters Marine Corps, then entered the Industrial College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. He graduated in June 1951, and returned to Camp Lejeune as Commanding Officer, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division. In July 1952, he was named G-1 Officer, 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in August 1947 with rank from October 1942, and to colonel in January 1951.

Ordered to Kingston, Ontario, in September 1953, he served as Instructor, Canadian Army Staff College, for two years. He again went to the Far East in August 1955 and served as G-4 Officer, 3d Marine Division, Japan and Okinawa. In August 1956, Colonel Hochmuth was assigned to Quantico, Virginia, as a member of the Advanced Research Group, Marine Corps Educational Center.

In July 1957, he was transferred to the Marine Corp Recruit Depot, San Diego and served as Chief of Staff through October 1959. While stationed in San Diego, he was promoted to brigadier general in November 1959 and served briefly thereafter as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and, later, as Commanding General of the Recruit Training Command.

In January 1960, General Hochmuth reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Research and Development). While serving in this capacity, he was promoted to major general in August 1963. That November, he returned to the West Coast and assumed duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. For meritorious achievement from November 1963 to February 1967, General Hochmuth was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Commendation Medal.

From 19 March to 14 November 1967, General Hochmuth served as Commanding General, 3d Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. While involved in an inspection tour on 14 November he was killed when the helicopter, in which he was riding, exploded in mid-air and crashed. For service during this period, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

General Hochmuth was buried with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, on 18 November 1967.

A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star indicative of a second award, the China Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the Vietnamese National Order 5th Class, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

 

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

 

Article 1. Effective as a 17 November 1967m The National Order, 3rd Class is presented to:

-Major General Bruno Arthur HOCHMUTH

Serial Number 05117

CG 3rd US Marine Div. 

 

“Major General HOCHMUTH Bruno Arthur is a talented and brave General having continuously expressed his devoted cooperation with the AVRN in the fight against Communists for the protection of freedom in South VietNam. 

As Commanding General of the 3rd US Marine Division, Major General Hochmuth has shown his valiance and bravery through operations conducted in the 11th DTZ (Thua Thien and Quang Tri Provinces), has himself led that major unit in defeating NVN Regular units infiltrated into SVN, achieved splendid victories and imposed admiration from the enemy.  Typically, in the operation conducted from 19 to 26 May 1967 in Quang Tri Province, despite the rough terrain and the strength of the VC forces, Major General HOCHMUTH, by his timely and skillful maneuver of units under his command, has inflicted to the NVN 324/B and 341 Divisions heavy losses in personnel, weapons, and equipment. 

 

During an air reconnaissance mission, braving the risks and dangers over the battlefield in North of Thua Thien Province on 14 November 1967, Major General HOCHMUTH has valiantly given his life for the victory of freedom.”

 

The Present award is followed with the Cross of Gallantry with Palm. 

 

Article 2.  The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense are in charge of the execution of this Decree, in accordance with their respective responsibility. 

 

SAIGON, 10 January 1968

The President 

Of The Republic of VietNam

NGUYEN VAN THIEU

 

TRANSLATED BY THE VIETNAM ARMED FORCES OFFICE

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