| | - Ray Joseph Hutchinson:A Hero Remembered
- This website is to honor the memory of Ray Joseph Hutchinson. There is a new site at the foundation started by the family in 2007. It is at http://rjhfoundation.org =============================
Deborah Hutchinson on the scholarship.
To contribute to the Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship is to honor not only him, but also all soldiers everywhere who make sacrifices of their lives to do their duty. This scholarship allows the great and noble work of helping others to have better lives--- to move forward. The commitment and brave works of all of our soldiers are honored when the "Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship" is allowed to grow and do its noble work. The purpose of the scholarship becomes a ripple of the beginning of greatness that spreads on and on to others, and one good thing leads to another. What could be better?
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This is a biography that the sergeants asked us to write concerning Ray Joseph's life. It will be used in the "Iron Hutch Competition" for the candidates who compete. They will be required to know things about Ray Joseph's life, since the competition has been named in his honor at Ft. Campbell....
"Oh, my son! What an honor to be your mother...."
SPC Ray Joseph Hutchinson 101'st Airborne Screaming Eagles
2/502 Killed in Action December 7, 2003 Iraq
~ A TRUE HERO RESTS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD~
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Hutch----- A Hero's Life---2/502
On a clear, crisp February morning, a new member was added to the long and distinguished list of the world's valiant heroes. It was on 09 Feb 1983, that Ray Joseph Hutchinson was born in Houston, Texas. His bloodline can be
traced back to Scottish, English, and German ancestors, many of whom fought
in great wars long ago. His grandfather was a sergeant in the Army Infantry and fought in the Philippines in WWII. His father was in the Navy on a destroyer in the Viet Nam War. Ray Joseph's arrival was a true blessing for his mother, Deborah, who was an artist; his father, Michael, who was a bank auditor; and his four-year-old brother, Lee Andrew (whom it was later
discovered possessed an I.Q. of 160!).
Ray Joseph's mother knew that from the first moment she held her new baby
son, that he was marked for greatness that would be seen in a destiny set by
God. And so it was.
From the start, it was evident that Ray Joseph had an eagerness to learn
about everything he saw. He watched those around him, paid attention,
listened, and soaked up knowledge with great focus. Ray Joseph responded
well to all of his family and friends. He was cooperative, unselfish,
eager, and full of curiosity and spontaneous humor. Those who knew him as a
little child will tell you that he had comprehension about his surroundings
that surpassed other children his own age. He was kind, thoughtful,
fair-minded, and attentive.
Ray Joseph's hand/eye coordination was exceptional for a young child. He
was walking by time he was ten months old. Before he was a year old, he
could catch and throw a ball accurately. He could climb two flights of
stairs before he could walk, and he never fell down. By the time he turned
four, he could already ride a bicycle without training wheels. His great
ability to tackle the aspects of forward motion continued to display itself
in his acquired skill at a young age to hockey skate on ice, or to roller
blade on concrete with ease and speed. Travel to other areas of the country
with his family, or with his grandparents, allowed Ray Joseph to broaden his
physical abilities into swimming with skill, jet-skiing, surfing, water
skiing, snow skiing, ice skating and snow-boarding, as well as rock-climbing
in the mountains of Texas, Vermont, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah and the
beaches, lakes, and gulf coast regions of Texas, and Florida. As an
adolescent, Ray Joseph also studied traditional Korean Martial Arts,
specializing in an ancient style called Kuk Sool Won, in which he competed
with great success.
Ray Joseph lived with his mother, father, and brother in League City, a
thriving community on the southeast side of Houston, Texas. His home was
beside Magnolia Creek and was flanked by huge oak trees and maples, and
hiking trails that lead into the woods around his neighborhood. It was
here, on Lazy Hollow Drive, that his family, neighbors, and friends watched
Ray Joseph as he was developing into the great man and warrior he was to
become. Each day for Ray Joseph was an adventure. It was in these young
years of his life that Ray Joseph asked to be baptized to seal his position
for eternity with the Good Lord. His Faith would sustain him in the years
to come.
Ray Joseph's nature was easy and calm. He was so generous with his smile,
humor, laughter, and encouragement with those around him whether they were
friends, coworkers, or strangers. Ray Joseph brought many of his friends
home to his house where he knew they would always be welcome to spend time
or to share a meal. His mother, an artist, painted the walls of his home
with murals, and Ray Joseph was always giving tours of his home to each new
friend he made.
Along with Ray Joseph's athletic skills, he also was drawn to the world of
fine arts. He loved to go to live performances in the theater district of
downtown Houston. He also enjoyed going to concerts of his favorite bands
whenever he could. He loved rock, swing, heavy medal, rap, classical,
country, Christian, and patriotic music.
Ray Joseph loved films-drama, biographical, or comedy--and his favorite
films were always great stories of epic adventures and heroism. Most
cherished was "Braveheart." He was greatly influenced by the life and story
of Sir William Wallace. Later, he studied Latin in high school because it
was spoken in this film in several scenes.
Ray Joseph learned to play the saxophone, which was his favorite instrument,
and competed in district solo competitions in the state of Texas. Marching
in the band from the age of twelve until his junior year in high school, he
easily participated in group efforts that required skill and cooperation for
success. Because of his marching skills, he was appointed the position of
"squad leader" so that he could teach other new members of his school band
how to march. Even though it could be a real trial to teach others to
march, he enjoyed working with everybody who crossed his path. This served
him well when he later became a soldier.
After attending Creekside Junior High, Ray Joseph began his four years at
Clear Creek High School. It was here that he became the school photographer
for his school newspaper, "The HiLife". His photographs always contained
sensitivity, and he skillfully captured the moment with his photographic
abilities. One photograph he took in particular is of the reflection of a
soldier's countenance in the black marble of the Vietnam War Memorial, as
the soldier stands with his head down. The names etched in the black marble
seem to float over the image of the soldier paying his respects to the
fallen ones on the memorial. This photograph, taken by Ray Joseph, is
prophetic in nature since he would soon be among those names for another war
to come.
During his Senior year at Clear Creek High School, Ray Joseph was selected
to become a member of PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership). Members of
this organization are selected carefully by their peers and the faculty,
because they represent the finest and best at the high school. PALS members
go to other schools and help teach children about coping with peer pressure
and becoming successful in all their endeavors. Ray Joseph worked with
fifth and sixth graders each week in other school districts, answering their
questions, participating in physical fitness programs with these students,
and helping to guide them to success. The children loved him and his
arrival in the classroom was always a celebration. During these years, Ray
Joseph worked at the Texas Rock Gym, where he taught the skill of climbing.
He also worked at a sporting goods store for outdoor activities called "Sun
and Ski", and as a checker at a grocery store.
With a host of friends, Ray Joseph also was in the cast of the senior play,
"Crazy for You". He enjoyed being on the stage of his school, singing,
dancing, and making everyone laugh. It was also his senior year that he and
four of his close buddies won the annual Talent Show. They all did an
amazing choreographed version of Nsync's "Gotta Be Me", which was so
entertaining that they were asked to repeat the act! They received a
standing ovation for both performances. The Senior Prom followed, and then
graduation in 2001. Ray Joseph did well on his SAT scores, so he had no
problem getting into a university of his choice---Southwest Texas State
University in San Marcos, Texas. This university is in the "hill country" of
Texas up by Austin. He entered into college life, dormitory living, and
becoming a member of a Fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Ray Joseph continued on
with his studies, completing his first year of college.
During his first year at SWT, Ray Joseph awoke one morning in his dormitory
to see the horror of September 11, 2001, on the television screen. He sat
speechless as the events played out on that fateful day when so many were
killed by the cowardly acts of terrorism. Something inside Ray Joseph
awakened as he watched so many innocent lives taken, and the need to become
a part of the defense of his country was born in his heart and mind. After
much prayer and great consideration, Ray Joseph made the decision to join
the ranks of the Army Infantry, where he felt he could accomplish the most
for his country. He enlisted at the end of his first year in college, in
May, 2002. He wanted to be a part of the fight for freedom, and he wanted
to make sure that he was with the best. So in the summer of 2002, Ray
Joseph joined the Army and began the preparation for the training ahead. He
knew that the timing was right in his life to devote himself to something
bigger than he was, and to be a part of serving and protecting his country
that he loved so well.
On 30 Aug 2002, Ray Joseph left for boot camp and infantry training at Ft.
Benning, Georgia. He had prepared himself well for the rigors of PT by
training in the heat and humidity of Houston for several weeks before he
left for Ft. Benning. He met all the requirements to leave for boot camp as
a Private First Class. He was ready for whatever the drill sergeants had in
mind. The challenge and discipline required to achieve goals appealed to
Ray Joseph. But even more, he was drawn to the idea of becoming a part of a
fighting team. He understood and loved the brotherhood of battle buddies.
He memorized and kept the following words in his heart:
"The Infantryman's Creed"
________________________________
I am the Infantry.
I am my country's strength in war,
her deterrent in peace.
I am the heart of the fight-
wherever, whenever.
I carry America's faith and honor
against her enemies.
I am the Queen of Battle.
I am what my country expects me to be-
the best trained solider in the world.
In the race for victory
I am swift, determined, and courageous,
armed with a fierce will to win.
Never will I betray my country's trust.
always I fight on-
through the foe,
to the objective,
to triumph over all,
If necessary, I will fight to my death.
By my steadfast courage,
I have won 200 years of freedom.
I yield not to weakness,
to hunger,
to cowardice,
to fatigue,
to superior odds,
for I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight.
I forsake not-
my country,
my mission
my comrades,
my sacred duty.
I am relentless.
I am always there,
now and forever.
I AM THE INFANTRY!
FOLLOW ME
Author - Unknown
Ray Joseph never forgot those words. During his training at Ft. Benning, he became a squad leader and later a platoon leader. As graduation from advanced infantry training drew close, PFC Hutchinson was nominated to participate in the "Soldier of the Cycle" competition. He accepted the nomination, considering it a great honor to represent his company, and became "Hutch" to his buddies.
On 17 Dec 2002, Hutch graduated as Distinguished Honor Graduate:
the "Soldier of the Cycle". He received the Army Achievement Medal, and
went immediately into jump school where he got his "wings". He said that
jumping was one of the most exciting things he had done, and he loved every
minute of it. Since he had graduated first in his class, he was granted his
choice of service. Without hesitation, Hutch chose to become a part of the
elite fighting force Ft. Campbell, Kentucky--the 101st Airborne (Air
Assault). He arrived there in early February of 2003, to discover a short
time later that he would be deployed to Iraq for the war ahead.
Right before deployment, Hutch's parents traveled from Texas to Ft.
Campbell so that they could spend time together and say goodbye. Hutch's
mother gave him a laminated card on which she had printed three scriptures:
Romans 13:12---The night is nearly over;
The day is almost here!
Put aside darkness and put on
the armor of light. Clothe yourself with Jesus.
2'nd Timothy 1:7---God did not give us a
spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and
Love.
John 14:27---Do not let your heart be
troubled and do not be afraid.
Hutch placed that card from his mother in his uniform pocket. They stayed
with him in his possession the rest of his time on this earth.
So it was, in the early morning hours of 8 Mar 2003, that Hutch and the
other members of the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Screaming Eagles, left the
United States of America to go to the other side of the world to free the
country of Iraq from the cruel regime of Saddam Hussein, and to fight for
freedom for those people, as well as to protect the freedoms we cherish in
America. Each soldier was about to discover their hidden strengths, valiant
courage, grim determination, and true heroism that would rise up and carry
them through the most difficult time of their lives. Hutch was about to
begin the last great contribution he would make in this world to his
country, his battle buddies, his family, the people of Iraq, and to his
obedience to the Good Lord---the sacrifice of his very life for all. What
greater gift can a man give than his life's blood in his effort to protect
and save others? There is no higher calling.
Hutch was there in Kuwait at Camp New York. He watched Patriot missiles
shoot down the enemy Scuds in the sky, as the warning sirens screamed day
and night. He was there when the helicopters commenced the assault of the
101st deep into Iraq. He felt the wind, the burning sand, the weight of the
MOLLE packs, the miles of marching, the endless hours without sleep, the
weeks without showers, the days with few rations, the unbearable heat, and
unrelenting sun, and the constant attack from hidden and treacherous enemies
in a strange desert land. He smelled death, saw death all around, and kept
on going. He slept in trenches, and holes dug in the sand, and watched each
sunrise and each sunset with a determination to perform at the highest level
to get the job done. During these days and weeks, Hutch maintained his
humor and encouraged those around him. He wrote in his journal, "As
difficult as it is to be here, when I look around at the faces of the
children in Iraq, I know why we are here!"
Hutch and his battle buddies moved up into the country of Iraq, fighting,
clearing buildings, schools, hospitals, and homes of enemy fighters and
their caches of weapons. The work was dangerous, difficult, exhausting, and
endless. Each day brought success and victory. Bridges were taken,
buildings were secured, the enemy was on the run, and the forward motion of
the brave men of the 2/502 who fought beside Hutch was relentless. Hundreds
of missions were completed with success, and the progress of the work at
hand was swift and efficient. These difficult days drew Hutch and the soldiers with whom he served closer together as a fighting unit. Hutch was always ready to smile and offer words of encouragement. Finding something to make someone laugh was one of his greatest gifts to others. Hutch was there for those around him, and understood the unspoken bond of brotherhood that only a soldier can know.
Into and through the desert, villages, and places that seem to have no name, the 2/502 moved forward. At An Najaf, bridges were taken. At Karbala, schools were cleared and taken, weapon caches were found and the heat took it's toll. It was here that Hutch and another soldier stood over the body of their sergeant who had suffered a heat stroke. Hutch stood with his weapon firing, in view of the enemy so that a medic could administer CPR to save the sergeant's life. Later, after returning to the U.S., this sergeant told Hutch's family:
"I'm a married man with two sons. I am here today to be with my wife and sons because of what Hutch did for me!"
Anytime Hutch was told he had done something outstanding, his response always was, "I was only doing my job."
The work continued with no rest, no showers, limited rations, low water, heat, danger all around, but he had the dedication to perform at the highest level. Finally the 2/502 reached Baghdad where Hutch and the rest were greeted with pits of oil fires, gutted enemy tanks, dead bodies of Republican Guard, and mine fields all around. The time in Baghdad and the work required was arduous, and it was there that the plan to move further north became a reality.
So the trip to Mosul commenced. Hutch and the rest loaded into Chinooks and Blackhawks, and trucks, listening to what may or may not have been celebratory fire in the surrounding areas because of a partial restoration of power in the city of Baghdad. By now it was April, and even though the military campaign was officially over, the dangerous weeks and months of rebuilding Iraq began to unfold. Hutch and the other men with him were loaded up into the "birds" for the longest air assault in history that included 1600 troops, 45 Chinooks, and 18 Blackhawks---destination: Mosul. Hutch said it was the best roller coaster ride he ever had. Once again, he was able to find something that made those around him smile when he and the rest were under great stress.
In Mosul, the work began. Thousands of missions, patrols, many of which were on foot, clearing and preparing school, mosques, government buildings, hotels, gas stations, propane distribution companies, and finally the power plant. It was in the power plant in Mosul that Hutch and his platoon lived. Hutch began to receive mail from home and lots of packages. He was so happy to be able to share with the other soldiers. He even shared an air-conditioner that his family managed to get to him. But whatever he had, he made sure others got a share. His platoon was named the "Hooligans". Hutch and the rest got the job done, whatever it was. They worked well as a team, were efficient, co-operative with each other, and powerful. By now Hutch was one of the M240B gunners for his platoon, and repeatedly qualified "Expert" on the range. He carried the heavy weapon everywhere---even on foot marches--and never complained. In fact, he would often tell other soldiers in a foot march who complained or lagged, "If me and my skinny butt can carry this weapon and still smile, then you can carry yours!"
Hutch was 6' 2" tall, blonde, lean, and very strong. He weighed about 152 lbs., most of which was muscle. All those years of rock-climbing, and all that good P.T. paid off. He looked forward to any type of competition during P.T. and made sure to keep his scores at the top. This was something he did from Basic training until the last day he was here. He told his parents in a phone call home that it would be the Infantry who captured Sadaam Hussein because he said the Infantry gets the job done. But most of all, he looked forward to each one of his days as he did the work he was trained to do, and work he had to learn to do as he went along. He was a warrior, a poet, a friend, a magnificent son, a loving brother to his only sibling as well as to the men with whom he served, a man of God who truly loved the Lord, and a gift to all who knew him because he always lifted those around him to a higher level. His smile was like his name---like a ray of sunshine. After his death, among his personal possessions was found a piece of paper on which he wrote:
Hugs and kisses and tears that glisten
come from the families as they listen
to their young men tell of a foreign land
that they must go to and free men from an evil hand
Hunger and poverty that must be changed
these Warriors move to oust Sadaam Hussein
These men who act and ask nothing in return
put their lives on the line to help a country turn
from oppression, tyranny, and a government of lies,
to opportunity, freedom, and a chance for better lives.
These valiant young men of America's youth
Bust down the barriers to show the people the truth
of how life should be lived in the world today
to have a life that's free is the American way.
Ray Joseph Hutchinson
Ten minutes past local noon on 07 Dec 2003, the Good Lord took Hutch Home in an instant. Though he was about to be granted a two-week leave to come home to be with his critically ill grandmother, whom he dearly loved, Hutch told his parents in a phone call that he did not have the heart to bump another soldier off the emergency leave plane. He told his parents he would wait until the next plane to come home for his grandmother. He was sent on a mission after that call, and it became his last time to obey orders as a good soldier always does. Returning from that mission, in the last vehicle of a convoy, Hutch left this world and stood in the presence of the Lord, when an improvised explosive device was detonated by the enemy. In spite of this, Hutch stands in eternal victory and it can truly be said that, "The war is over, and a soldier is Home."
He more than performed his duty. He lifted the spirits of those who were discouraged, he was an expert gunner, a fearless infantryman, and he touched the hearts of those around him with his strength, his humor, his dedication, his loyalty, his goodness, his encouragement, his efforts to maintain the highest standards, his Faith in the Lord, and finally his selflessness to the point of sacrificing his life for the freedom of the oppressed and the continued freedom of his beloved America. Just as he had predicted, exactly seven days after his death, the Infantry captured Sadaam Hussein.
In the last conversation he had with his mother right before his final mission, Hutch told her, "I never worry about getting hurt, or dying. I know that God walks with me. I love you.....I'll be home soon..."
And all of his family, including his grandmother, and thousands more saw him for the last time as he was laid to rest on 16 Dec 03, in Houston, Texas, beneath the American Flag.
- General Information
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- Profile:
- Personal
- Since:
- Wednesday, February 11, 2004
- Gender:
- Male
 - Contact Information
-
- Email:
- wjameson@ccisd.net
- Personal website:
- http://rjhfoundation.org
- My Cities
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- Current:
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- Hometown:
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