Van Hixson

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Van Hixson
Born(1920-11-27)27 November 1920
Midvale, Utah
Died19 February 1989(1989-02-19) (aged 68)
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1938–1982
Rank Major General
Commands held
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards

Van Hixson (27 November 1920 – 19 February 1989) was a retired United States Army major general. A veteran Army aviator, he flew B-17 bombers during World War II and later served as The Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard from November 1980 to September 1982.[1][2]

Early life and education[edit]

Born in Midvale, Utah, Hixson joined the Utah National Guard and began studying at the University of Utah in September 1938 after finishing high school. His education was interrupted by World War II military service, but he later graduated from courses at the Army Command and General Staff College in 1960 and the Army War College in 1977.[3]

Military career[edit]

Hixson was called to active duty in the United States Army Air Forces on 3 March 1941, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 8 May 1943 when he completed flight school. After receiving B-17 training,[3] he was assigned to the 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at RAF Snetterton Heath in England flying missions over Europe. Promoted to first lieutenant, Hixson was given command of his own bomber and crew in the 337th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). On 11 April 1944, after completing his midday bombing run over Rostock on the Baltic Coast of northern Germany, his plane was downed by a German fighter aircraft. He crash landed his craft northwest of Kappeln and was captured along with his entire crew. His bombardier 2nd Lt. Don Giffin was hospitalized with a shoulder wound and the other prisoners were sent for interrogation.[4][5][6] Hixson was then imprisoned at Stalag Luft I for the remainder of the war in Europe. On 19 May 1950, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving the crew of his damaged aircraft.[6][7][8] Hixson also received the Silver Star and four Air Medals for his World War II service.[3]

Released from active duty in January 1946, Hixson rejoined the Utah National Guard as an artillery officer in November 1946. After commanding an artillery battery, he returned to aviation as an artillery observation officer. In 1957, Hixson completed helicopter training and assumed command of the 653rd Field Artillery Observation Battalion in July. He later qualified as a helicopter instructor in 1964.[3]

Hixson was appointed assistant adjutant general for the Utah Army National Guard on 1 December 1967 and was promoted to brigadier general on 10 August 1970.[3] He served as adjutant general of the Utah National Guard from November 1980 until his retirement in September 1982. In addition to his combat awards, Hixson also received the Distinguished Service Medal.[1][2]

Hixson died in 1989 and was interred at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Draper Headquarters, Utah - Nov 1980 - Sep 1982". Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Services Set Friday for Maj. Gen. Hixson". Deseret News. 23 February 1989. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Brigadier General Van Hixson". General Officers of the Army and Air National Guard. Office of Public Affairs, National Guard Bureau. January 1979. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  4. ^ Downed Allied Aircraft Kampfflugzeug Unterlagen (KU) Report 1446. Series: Downed Allied Aircraft Kampfflugzeug Unterlagen (KU) Reports, ca. 1943 - 1945. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  5. ^ Missing Air Crew Report number 3816. Series: Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs), 1942 - 1947. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  6. ^ a b Hixson, Scott L. (22 July 2003). "Captain Van Hixson". Guestbook Entries - 3rd Quarter - 2003. Retrieved 2022-04-29. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "Page H - Listing of POWs at Stalag Luft I". World War II - Prisoners of War - Stalag Luft I. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
  8. ^ "Hixson, Van". Air Force Award Cards (Distinguished Flying Cross): Hester, Cecil - Hocutt, William. Series: Award Cards, 1942 - 1963. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
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