Fred was born 15 December 1925, to George and Mabel (Smith) Hutchins, in Sioux City. Siblings are Evelyn Dean and Joyce Hawkinson. Fred attended school at Webster Elementary and West Junior.
Fred entered the U.S. Marines, 25 February 1944, at Des Moines, Iowa.. He trained at Great Lakes, Illinois. He went overseas in August 1944. He served in Okinawa Ryukyu Island in the South Pacific. He received a Purple Heart for wounds he received on Okinawa. He was a crewman and machine gunner. Participated in the occupation of China, 11 October 1945 through 14 April 1946.
Excerpt from The Sioux City Journal, “Pvt. Fred L. Hutchins, marine corps, has been wounded in Okinawa, his mother, Mrs. Mabel Hutchins, 104 Perry street, has been informed by the war department. Pvt. Hutchins, entered the service in February of 1944, and has been in the south Pacific since last August.” Fred received a Purple Heart.
He was discharged 11 May 1946, Great Lakes, Illinois. Besides being awarded the Purple Heart, he received the Good Conduct Medal, Fred married Dorothy Jean Leriger on 13 July 1945, in Sioux City. Four children were born to this union: Dan, Robert, Kathy Martin and Patricia Pranschke. They have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Fred like to play cards and gardening and flowers. Fred retired in 1990 as an electrician for Marian Health Center.
Fred left this world on 12 December 1997. He was buried in Memorial Park cemetery in Sioux City.
Fred is remembered as a loving father, who enjoyed his work and family get togethers.
Submitted by his wife, Dorothy Hutchins.
