Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Allen
Hemphill
December 1, 1937

–

August 29, 2012

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

Lieutenant Hemphill graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1951. He retired in 1985 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    31st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 17, 1953
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 604 (June 26, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Company Commander of Company I, 3d Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Hemphill distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 17 April 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Hemphill led a spirited counterattack in an effort to retake a vital hill position which had been overrun by hostile troops. Though wounded in both legs, Lieutenant Hemphill held the lead of the company until it was pinned down by accurate and deadly fire from an enemy machine gun. Realizing the consequences of a stalemate at that point in the action, Lieutenant Hemphill picked up a 3.5 rocket launcher and, disregarding all thoughts of personal safety, charged the machine gun bunker. When he was approximately twenty yards from the position, Lieutenant Hemphill fired his only round ammunition through the aperture, scoring a direct hit and annihilating the occupants. Upon reaching the crest of the hill, Lieutenant Hemphill was again wounded but, refusing evacuation, he moved from bunker to bunker directing the repulse of the remaining hostile troops. It was only after the hill was secured and the reorganization almost complete that Lieutenant Hemphill consented to the evacuation. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant Hemphill on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    3d Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Hemphill distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in 1968 and 1969. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Hemphill, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Readiness Command

    Action Date:

    1982 – 1985
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as J-3, Readiness Command from 1982 to 1985. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Hemphill reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Readiness Command

    Action Date:

    1982 – 1985
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as J-3, Readiness Command from 1982 to 1985..

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    July 1961 – July 1965
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 29 (August 27, 1965)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Alaska Command, from 1961 to 1964.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    3d Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 6, 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Hemphill distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during combat operations near My Phuoc Tay, South Vietnam, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy from 4 to 6 October 1968. Throughout the two-day battle with a large enemy force, Colonel Hemphill repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct his men. His helicopter was hit several times as he directed his pilot to make low passes over the enemy positions. Through his efforts 139 enemy soldiers were killed, and 17 were captured along with more than 160 weapons and numerous other supplies. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Hemphill, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    8th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1978 – 1980

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major General John Allen Hemphill, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Hemphill reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Allen Hemphill (ASN: 0-64015), United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1969 to 1971.