GeneralJohn Reed Hodge (June 12, 1893 – November 12, 1963) was a highly decorated[citation needed]senior officer of the United States Army. His final assignment before retiring was as chief of Army Field Forces from 1952 to 1953.
Remaining in the Army following the end of the war, he taught military science at Mississippi State University from 1921 to 1925 and graduated from the Infantry School in 1926. After a posting to Hawaii, he graduated from the Command and General Staff School, from where he graduated in 1934, the Army War College, and the Air Corps Tactical School.[1]
The 25th Division was sent overseas to Guadalcanal in November 1942. Hodge stayed with 25th Division until April 1943, when he was promoted to the rank of major general and transferred to the temporary command of the 43rd Infantry Division, where he relieved Major General John H. Hester, who was exhausted from combat.[2] Hodge commanded the 43rd Division during the combats in Northern Solomons and was decorated with the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service.
Hodge was appointed commanding officer of the newly activated XXIV Corps in Hawaii and participated in the Battle of Leyte within Philippines Campaign and later in Battle of Okinawa. He received the Army Distinguished Service Medals for each of these campaigns. Hodge was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant general in June 1945.
Later career
Army commanders in the United States and certain overseas commanders meet with Secretary of the Army Frank Pace and General J. Lawton Collins, Army Chief of Staff, in the Pentagon in routine sessions, June 5, 1952. Lieutenant General John R. Hodge is sat fourth from the right, between Secretary Pace (left) and Lieutenant General Henry Aurand (right).The grave of General John R. Hodge at Arlington National Cemetery.
From 1945 to 1948, Hodge was the commanding general of United States Army Forces in Korea (USAFIK). He took his corps to Korea under orders of Douglas MacArthur, landing at Incheon on 9 September 1945. He was the commanding officer receiving the surrender of all Japanese forces in Korea south of the 38th parallel. Hodge refused to recognize the People's Republic of Korea and its People's Committees, and outlawed it on 12 December 1945.[4]
Hodge was promoted to general on 5 July 1952. His final assignment was as Chief of Army Field Forces from 8 May 1952 until he retired from military service on June 30, 1953.
United States
U.S. Army
General
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