The Face of a WWII soldier

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Posted by Alia Ahmed May 24, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.

Max Hutchinson was born October 12, 1915 on a farm outside of Logan, Kansas. His birth certificate officially lists his place of birth as Densmore, Kansas. Max was the second oldest of the 10 children of Willie C. and Annie Josephine Hutchinson.

Max was a bright young boy who started first grade (there was no such thing as kindergarten in those days) in a rural one-room school house at age four because Lee, his brother two years older, was afraid to go to school alone. Learning came easily for Max and althought it seemed he was paying no attention at school and at home, he learned quickly and a developed a sharp wit.

Max attended school through 8th grade then stayed at home to work on the farm so his younger siblings could go to school. He and his siblings were a tight-knit group who had many stories to tell about their years out on the farm. His brother, Ward, broke his leg jumping off the neighbor's haystack and limped home and didn't want to tell their parents what happened since they had disobeyed their parents. His sister, Eve, stuck a younger brother, Gene, in a cream can when he was little and they still talk about it to this day. His sister, Lucille, got the nickname, Boo, which stuck with her until the day she died because of her fear of storms. Brothers Bill and Don always joined in when could always tell some tales at family gatherings.

A sister, Phoebe, died of appendictis at age 13, before the widespread use of antibiotics. His mother used to go spend time in the attic alone, grieving the loss of her daughter. After his mother died, Max and his siblings discovered the cherished items of Phoebe's in the trunk in the attic. Among the items in the trunk was a picture Phoebe had colored of her baby sister, Wauneta and Phoebe's worn toothbrush. Max and his siblings had long wondered what secrets that trunk held but never violated their mother's private treasures until after her death.

Max was in his twenties when WWII broke out. He had worked and stayed close to home and had not yet married prior to the war. He and his brothers who were old enough joined the army or other branches of the military. Max, who was a homebody and very close to his parents, was stationed in Texas. His comrades called him "Arky" a shortened version of "Our Kansas boy". Before being shipped overseas, Max decided to take the train back to Logan to see his parents. Max didn't tell anyone he was going and never asked permission. By the time they realized he was missing, Max had returned to base and was ready to go overseas to serve his country. Max was demoted to Private because of his unexcused leave. He never regretted getting to go home to see his folks.

Max spent time in Northern Africa and Italy. He was assigned to a tank destroyer battalion. Letters to home indicated how homesick he was as he'd tuck in money or souvenirs for his sisters and brothers too young to serve. He recalled coming through Rome in the tank destroyers, their turrets turned to the rear out of respect to the Vatican. Women and children clamored aboard the tank destroyers, anxious to give thanks to their liberators. Max was still a Private when he was discharged from the army, which was okay with him. He had served his country as had many other men and women and that was recognition enough.

Max married the love of his life, Delores, after the war. He pumped oil wells in western Kansas until he retired, working 6 1/2 days a week. He and Delores raised three children in Logan. He remained close to his siblings and loved reminiscing about their days on the farm. He and his brothers and brother-in-laws talked from time to time about their military experiences in north Africa, Iwo Jima and the European front. His brother, Ward, was at Normandy but usually Max and Ward would rather talk about fishing than the horrors of war.

I was the middle of the three of Max and Delores' children and could not be prouder to call this man Dad. My dad died about 12 years ago, 14 years after the death of his beloved wife. On this Memorial Day, I honor the service of my dad and all the other Americans who serve our country. I love you, Dad.

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liggyon (David Lignell) says…

Wonderful details and memories, even the sad ones such as Phoebe and her Mother who used to weep over her loss in the attic. I can't imagine her grief. Beautiful tribute to your Father, Alia, on this Memorial Day weekend.
May 24, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Thank you, David. Your feedback is valued.
May 24, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.
autie (anonymous) says…

I would think there are a lot of us that are the children of that era. I think it so ironic at times, looking at the pictures from WWII. I see the bright, young faces. Full of life. And now my father is 84 and still kind of spunky. I cherish the picture I have of him in his uniform and that boyish grin. It makes it easy to be proud of our fathers.
May 24, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

autie,

I agree. I love the photo of my dad in his uniform. I'm going through a box of photos now to see if I can find it to post with my blog. God bless your dad on this day and every other day.
May 24, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

summer,

Thanks for the correction about how old my dad would have been at the start of the war. You're right, he would have been 30 when it ended..
May 24, 2009 at 7:43 p.m.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…

"... demoted to Private because of his unexcused leave...
married the love of his life...."

Incorrigible.

,;-)
May 24, 2009 at 9:47 p.m.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…

Ink-wiring minds what to know?

So, how did you become "Marion Lynn?"

( As for me... associative disorder warranting intervention. )
May 24, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
Mixolydian (anonymous) says…

That was a beautiful article.

My dad was the same way about the Korean war. Experienced horror, but refused to discuss any of it. Every year I go out to where his ashes are scattered, play Amazing Grace on the pipes, pour a little Glenfiddich on the ground and tell him how much I love him too.
May 24, 2009 at 10:14 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

tange,

My dad definitely followed his heart, He loved his family and loved his country but definitely had a mind of his own!

Marion,

I married someone whose last name was Ahmed. I, too, followed my heart half the way around the world. :~)
May 24, 2009 at 10:17 p.m.
Practicality (anonymous) says…

Great Story.

Logan72, I caution you to not disclose anymore personal information to Marion. It is well known that he/she dispises Muslims. Be careful.
May 24, 2009 at 10:36 p.m.
femail (Linda Hanney) says…

Alia, a thought provoking tribute to your father and family. It does indeed remind us there is a personal story and sacrifice for each person who puts their life on the line serving our country. We visited three small rural cemeteries yesterday. We made a point to once again visit graves with flags and silently be thankful.
May 25, 2009 at 8:27 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Linda,

When my children were small, we visited the cemeteries on 15th street on Memorial Day. We were headed toward some graves that had flags adorning them when my then four year old son ask, "Is that where the vegetarians are buried?" :~) The innocence of youth, right?
May 25, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Multi,

No doubt this morning my aunt and uncle attended a ceremony in Logan honoring all veterans, not just those who died in combat. In my family and many others Memorial Day is a day in which to remember all our loved one who have passed away. My mother always prepared vases out of coffee cans filled with peonies grown in her own yard for my grandparents' and other loved ones' graves. Those are sweet memories I share of paying respect and love to family and friends.
May 25, 2009 at 11:53 a.m.
RoeDapple (anonymous) says…

My father served most of the war in the Philippines fighting the Japanese. Until he was in his late 70's he would say very little about the war, except what a terrible thing it was we did to each other over there. A couple of years before he died he told me he carried a pack of cooking gear (he was a cook in the army, but that's another story), a Thompson sub-machine gun, and so much ammo he needed help to stand. While on patrol one day his patrol leader called a halt for rest. At the next instant mortar rounds began hitting behind them killing all but him. He had a piece of shrapnel stuck in his back, but all the cooking gear had slowed it down enough to save him. He was also shot in the shoulder, but somehow survived and was in Australia recovering when the atomic bombs were dropped.
May 25, 2009 at 1:36 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Roe,

I'm so sorry for your father. What a horrible experience for him. I can see why it was so hard for him to speak about that event and the loss of the rest of his troop. God bless them all.
May 25, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
Solomon (anonymous) says…

I wonder if you have read Rick Atkinson's "Army at Dawn" and "The Day of Battle," books about the U.S. entering the war in North Africa ("Army") and Italy ("Battle)?

These are two of Atkinson's "Liberation Trilogy," that detail the efforts to rid the world of facism. The third book of the trilogy documenting the Normandy invasion hasn't been published yet.

If you haven't read them, I strongly recommend them as they will give you a great insight into the war in North Africa and Italy.

I served in the peace-time army of the mid-50s, and am in awe of our service men who had to actually perform what I was ostensibly trained to do. I don't know if I could have served as honorably as the brave men and women who had to face hostile forces.

God bless your father and God bless all his comrades in arms.
May 25, 2009 at 9:48 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Solomon,

Thanks for the tip about the books about North Africa and Italy. It will definitely be interesting to read about those operations during the war. Thank you, also, for your service to our country.

Multi,

I don't know how the placing of the flags works in Lawrence. I think the American Legion Auxiliary was involved in Logan. Since Logan is such a small town, it would have been a much simpler task and less likely someone's grave would be overlooked. .
May 26, 2009 at 6:34 a.m.
RalphGage (Ralph Gage) says…

Very nice, Alia. Thanks for sharing.
May 26, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Thanks, Ralph for reading my blog and for allowing us this forum.
May 26, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.
Aisling (anonymous) says…

beautiful story, Alia. Thank You
May 26, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.