Medal of Honor: Carlton Barmore Hutchins – U.S. Navy – Pacific Fleet Exercises – 1938

Name: Carlton Barmore Hutchins
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
Aircraft: PBY-2 Seaplane No. 0463 (11-P-3)
Place: Off the coast of California
Born: 12 September 1904, Albany, New York
Accredited To: New York

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Summary of Action

On 2 February 1938, Lieutenant Carlton Barmore Hutchins was piloting a U.S. Navy PBY-2 seaplane during large-scale tactical exercises with the U.S. Fleet off the California coast. During the operation, his aircraft sustained severe and catastrophic damage that rendered safe recovery unlikely.

Despite the damage and the imminent danger to himself, Lieutenant Hutchins remained at the controls of the crippled aircraft. With extraordinary calm and presence of mind, he focused on maintaining what control he could in order to give his crew the maximum possible chance to escape by parachute.

His deliberate, selfless decision to stay with the aircraft—rather than abandon it—was directly responsible for the survival of those crew members who were able to escape. His conduct under extreme conditions exemplified courage, discipline, and devotion to duty of the highest order.

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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.