John H. Hilldring
John Henry Hilldring was a senior United States Army officer who fought during both World War I and World War II and served as Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas from 1946 to 1947.Biography
Hilldring was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 27, 1895. He was of Swedish descent, and was educated at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1918. He served in the United States Army during World War I, with the rank of first lieutenant, into the infantry. He saw action on the Western Front and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Hilldring went on to become a career officer in the Army. In this capacity, he was posted in the Philippines. In 1936, he was appointed to the General Staff of the United States Army.
With the American entry into World War II, Hilldring became Assistant Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1942. With the rank of major general, he became the Commanding General of the 84th Infantry Division later in 1942. In 1943, he became the Chief of the Army's Civil Affairs Division. In this capacity, he served as a U.S. delegate at the Potsdam Conference. Hilldring retired from the Army in 1946.
On April 12, 1946, the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, nominated Hilldring to be Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas. He was sworn in on April 17, 1946, and held office until August 31, 1947.
In 1950, Hilldring became foreign-operations manager of General Aniline & Film, a Swiss chemical firm that was seized by the U.S. during World War II on suspicion of Nazi domination. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1954, and became the company's president in 1955.Decorations
Works by John H. Hilldring
