60-Year-Old Vietnam Vet Killed In Iraq

Arizona Major, Retiree Who Reenlisted Last Year, Is Oldest American Casualty

(AP)  The oldest soldier to be killed in Iraq fought in Vietnam and decided to re-enlist at the age of 59 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the death of his wife, according to his brother.

Army Maj. Steven Hutchison, 60, was killed in Iraq on Sunday after a homemade bomb went off near his vehicle in Al Farr, according to the Department of Defense.

Richard Hutchison of Scottsdale told The Associated Press on Thursday that his big brother Steven wanted to re-enlist immediately after the 9/11 attacks, but that his wife Candy didn't want him to.

But when Candy died of breast cancer, "a part of him died," so he signed up again in July 2007, according to his brother and the Army.

"He was very devoted to the service and to his country," Richard Hutchison said. "For somebody to go back into the military at 60 years old, obviously I didn't want him to do it, but he had a mind of his own and that's what he wanted to do. He's been a soldier his whole life."

He said his brother never explained why he wanted to re-enlist, but that "I'm guessing it had something to do with them coming into our country and killing our people."

"He wanted to go back in," he added. "He wanted to do his share."

He said Steven Hutchison served in Afghanistan for a year after he re-enlisted and went to Iraq in October as a team leader of about a dozen soldiers who would train Iraqi soldiers how to fight. But, he said his brother's mission changed and that he was working to secure Iraq's southern border instead.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks said Thursday that Hutchison was the oldest Army soldier killed in Iraq.

An Associated Press database of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that Hutchison is the oldest member of any service branch killed since the wars broke out.

Richard Hutchison said Steven was a great big brother and a best friend who was always looking out for him. "He took care of me," he said.

"I was worried about him. I didn't want him to go (to Iraq)," he said through tears, adding that he loved his brother "so much."

He said Steven Hutchison worked as a college professor of psychology at a couple of California universities and then worked at a private health care corporation in Arizona before he retired a few years ago.

Records at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles show that Hutchison taught in the psychology department there on and off between 1988 and 1996. Hutchison's resume, provided by the school, shows he was a lecturer at California State University in Long Beach, Calif., and taught at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif.

Hutchison was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Long Beach. Steven and Richard have a half brother and half-sister living in Michigan. Steven Hutchison married four times, and was married to Candy for 10 years before she died. He had no children.

Richard Hutchison said his brother will be buried next to Candy in Scottsdale, and that a funeral is tentatively planned for Tuesday.

Hutchison was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

[mqtribe1]

nancy_naive needs to go live in North Korea and/or Iran. Her Taliban like hate is a perfect example of why this is not only NOT a sham war but something that our national existence and civilization depends on winning. for decades the Israelis have been scorned by the socialist hate mongers of the EU and DNC for their daring in stopping these terrorist sewer rats from blowing up their lives and it worked until Clinton, Bush (and now Obama?) forced them to throw away land on useless delusions on fake "commitments" to "peace" by the PA. since giving away land for "peace" they have fought three wars in 10 yrs to the tune of 1000+ dead. Appeasement has always failed with staggering perfection. From Munich '38 that resulted in a war that killed 50 mil+ to Korea & Vietnam ("sham" wars) in which the liberal democrats (who controlled everything just like today) stabbed the military in the back by prohibiting offensives after china was reeling, bankrupt and exhausted in korea AND later the NVA had been virtually destroyed in '67 and '72. We had won those wars militarily and needed only to go North. The non strategy of the democrat government resulted in the killing of 100k american heros and wounding of a million. 9/11 was another perfect example of what happens when you do things the liberal democrat way. for 10 years the libcoms under clinton pretended that OBL and the nazis were'nt a threat and even after 7 attacks that killed americans they refused to fight. 9/11 was the result...we are now in the middle east thanks again to liberal democrat stupidity that Bush had to make up for. Weakness kills like it or not...pretending doesn't take away your problems. Grow up...

[rhs648]

Didn't get killed in the first sham war, so he went for the second! Booyah!
Posted by nancy_naive

Have you sacrified anthing for our country? Have you done anything to support America? This man believed in what he was doing. He believed that serving in the military was patriotic. You should be ashamed of yourself in criticising his participation in Vietnam and Iraq. There are still Americans willing to risk their lives for causes they believe in. Then there are others who lack patriotism for a country that has offered them so much opportunity. Many of us will take Major Hutchison over you any day.

[indivthinker]

Well, as usual, you can expect to see the usual group of Cindy "impeach Bush" Sheehan and Rosie "our troops our terrorists" O'Donnell followers spewing out their usual hate. Rather than honoring a brave soldier who has sacrificed his time and ultimately life in the Cold War and the War on Terror, they would rather use their wasted lives (most probably live in momma's basement) criticizing and politicizing rather than taking the time to be grateful for a sacrifice. It is men like the major that have fought to keep us safe for over 225 years that this country has called itself the United States of America. Regardless the reason for the mission, we should honor our veterans. They only follow orders with the highest of efficiency, honor, and valor. If you want to criticize someone, mail a letter to your Congressmen (both the Democrats and Republicans that voted to authorize force) or find a more appropriate forum.

This article is to honor a hero. I regret that I do not have enough courage and strength to do what this man did. His sacrifice, despite what the criticizers say, was not in vain, and I as well as 99% of this country's population am eternally grateful that we have volunteers in this country that are willing to protect me and my family by meeting the enemy out on the battlefield.

May God bless his soul.

[babooph]

Wars lasting longer than ww1&11 combined,still not won,against enemies with hand arms funded at less than 1% US costs- the US enemies getting bolder watching the fiasco-THAT IS CAUSING DESPERATION!!

[paddyhayes]

See you in Elysium, brother.

[dukeudevil]

Thank you, Major Hutchison. You were a true warrior. Although I feel you wish to be alongside your beloved Candy, there is a place reserved for you in Arlington among other fallen heroes.

My condolences to your family, friends, and comrades. Rest in peace, Sir.

[brianbwb-2009]

He said his brother never explained why he wanted to re-enlist, but that "I'm guessing it had something to do with them coming into our country and killing our people."

If his brother's guess is correct, then he was a either a victim of the Bushbot-neo propaganda machine that even now still has the weak minded convinced that Iraq attacked us, despite all evidence to the contrary, or, in despair after losing his wife, chose to commit suicide by war.

"... show some honor to this man who gave his life for the nation he loved and resepected.
Posted by goes1962"

You' are quite droll goes1962, seeing as how the military action in Iraq has absolutely nothing to do with serving or protecting the nation, the man gave his life for the profits of the Bush klan.

[Zowwyy]

Wake up.. this country and the world runs on OIL & MONEY!

This guy was a real hero.. fighting for his country and for all of us. If we do nothing they will be in our country blowing us up!

[barbaram99]

I wish to thank the vets. I have always done so. I thanked my late Dad on Vets day as he just died. I am surprised that the Maj was taken back in service at 59. America allowed them in this nation. I am sorry that this old vet was killed. Over oil and greed. I thot the age be 18 to 35. I can't go in as i am legally blind with health issues. I am 54. I will not bear arms. I have freely given up that right. I am female and won't wear a a skirt and heels. BRING THE TROOPS HOME WHERE THEY BELONG. I want to say this is not a grammar class and every one has there say. RIP Sir.

[averjane]

He loved what he was doing and did what he felt was best. He spent his life on a worthy cause. Many who would disagree with his choice waste their lives only on themselves. Self-centeredness has to be very lonely because there's only you on the inside and a whole world on the outside. You're on the inside looking out, a prisoner in your own mind and quite a small one at that. Anyway, I appreciate the fact that he was doing this service for us so that we can continue to feel safe knowing there are people like that dying in our place. Someone else did that once and His name is Jesus!

[I_am_me1953]

This American hero chose of his own fee will to return to active duty,so age doent matter at all.Instead of saying the nation is desperate for soldiers,show some honor to this man who gave his life for the nation he loved and resepected.

by goes1962 May 15, 2009 7:10 AM PDT
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As 60 year old vet myself - I say 'fair balls' to you Major for what you did in service to your country and may you rest in peace.

by j_flood May 15, 2009 7:04 AM PDT
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Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Major Hutchinson
God bless and Godspeed

by excop1949 May 15, 2009 6:24 AM PDT
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I salute you sir. RIP

by wtcmedic911 May 15, 2009 6:58 AM PDT
______________________________________________

Thank you all for your honororium and not politicizing this event.

[ajjaxtheleast]

Never too old to enlist in a war crime.,,,Maybe Mugabe would turn him
down for duty in HIS countries' war crimes,,,,
But not Bush and Obama's war crime,,,,,

"Cmon in, fool!,,,,,think yur gonna train some Iraqis???,,,ha ha,,,no no,,
,,,get yur gun and yur old ass down to the border there and do some
guardin',,,,,,,They's actually some people around what takes
offense to us bein' in Iraq.,,,,here,,a tourniguet, some morphine to
suck on and a sponge for at least a chance to squeeze
some blood back in while yur waitin'.

[goes1962]

babooph

This American hero chose of his own fee will to return to active duty,so age doent matter at all.Instead of saying the nation is desperate for soldiers,show some honor to this man who gave his life for the nation he loved and resepected.

[j_flood]

As 60 year old vet myself - I say 'fair balls' to you Major for what you did in service to your country and may you rest in peace.

[wtcmedic911]

I salute you sir. RIP

[babooph]

How desperate is the nation -60 yr old troops ?

[excop1949]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Major Hutchinson
God bless and Godspeed

[valh1]

What a moving story. I didn't realize someone could enlist at that age. It is great that he had the desire to fight for his country. I salute him and God rest his soul.