Steven Hutchison: 60-Year-Old US Soldier Oldest Killed In Iraq

PHOENIX — A 60-year-old Vietnam War veteran killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has become the oldest Army soldier to die in that conflict, the military said Thursday.

Maj. Steven Hutchison, of Scottsdale, Ariz., served in Vietnam and wanted to re-enlist immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks, but his wife was against it, his brother said.

Richard Hutchison told The Associated Press on Thursday that when she died, "a part of him died" so he signed up in July 2007 at age 59.

"He was very devoted to the service and to his country," Richard Hutchison said.

He described him as a great big brother and friend. "I didn't want him to go," he said through tears, adding that he loved his brother "so much."

The Pentagon said Steven Hutchison was killed in Iraq on Sunday. 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.

Hutchison served in Afghanistan for a year before deploying to Iraq in October, heading a 12-soldier team that trained the Iraqi military, his brother said. Later, he was assigned to help secure Iraq's southern border.

Hutchinson, who grew up in California, taught psychology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on and off between 1988 and 1996, and lectured and taught at two other colleges, according to school records. He then worked at a health care corporation in Arizona before retiring and re-entering the service, his brother said.

He was part of the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan.

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Comments

[mudshark12]

While I think the Iraq war is useless, I am saddened by all of the fatalities and grievous wounds suffered by our troops. Rest in peace, Major Steven Hutchison.

[Chickasaw962]

I think it is a bit strange a senior citizen would be deployed on the front line of a war, of course, their are less forward, very necessary jobs that need experianced wise veterans to do. it is strange this man was blown up on the side of a road, at sixty years old. But he died with his boots on, doing what he loved, in honor and memory of all that he loved, and no one can take that honor from him, and I am honored he fights for Global freedom with such a self-less heart. I do not believ his crossing, or life sacrafice was fruitless.

[BruceCarson]

What a shame, killed for a totally unecassary war. Ontop of that, once US troops withdraw and the payoffs to militia leaders end, this seeming "success" will fade quickly and the Iraqis will be at each others throats again as they were in 2005. We need to pull out from both Afghanistan and Iraq as soon as possible - that would be the best way of honoring this man's misplaced sacrifice.

[mspye]

We honor your service Mr. Hutchison!

[magic3400]

Semper Fidelis, my Army brother...

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
The brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.

- Theodore O'Hara, The Bivouac of the Dead

[Blenvid]

Wow, a real life Jack Ryan, an educated man who backed up his convictions with action, even when it meant putting his own life at risk.

His story sits close to my heart. The light set by his example can even be seen from here.

I'm sure he enjoyed the warmth in company and comradery of our brothers and sisters in arms. Thanks for your service, sir.

[spaztikenigma]

He was killed by a roadside bomb. Age was probably not a factor in this happening to him. Better it happen to him, a soldier that willingly re-enlisted, than to a younger new recruit.

[kimbutgar]

Thank you for your service to our country Major Hutchinson. You gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country RIP.

[iamvalid]

Well there goes social security and here comes the draft.

[MaidinMossyCreek]

RIP.

[1differentdrummer]

That is not the job for a 60 year old major. How is Mandatory Removal Date figured, anyway? I don't care what he voluteered for, enlisted must retire at age 60, unless the rule has changed, and he should not have been in a combat zone. I have never seen a 60 year old with the vision, hearing and reflexes necessary to survive in combat. Judgement might keep you alive in some cases but it seems not to have done so here. He could have been in the US training trainers. Is the army that hard up?

[politicaljunkie41910]

I agree. I'm 50 and a vet and I can't help but wonder how a policy that allows 60 year old in the field doesn't put other troops at risks. Maybe if more of the neocons and their adult children volunteered there would be no need for 60 year olds out there on the line.

[gbenga30]

This man seems as if he was a true soldier, who believed in doing his duty and supporting the troops. It's sad he died, but I respect that he went. Still, they should have turned him back at 60.

[Joeblue]

As a Vietnam vet myself I can tell you that I worry about the men and women in the service now and I think all vets want to lend a hand to help them in one way or another no matter if the wae is right or not.

[makeck]

HuffPost's Pick

Served with Steve in Afghanistan, traveled together leaving Kabul last summer, parted ways along the road back.

He was in good shape for any age, excellent for a man of 60. He was physically capable of doing the job he was doing. And mentally he was above average.

He was a volunteer, as is everyone else who was and is there. He went because he loved soldiers and soldiering, He knew he was making a difference. You don't have to understand that, you should respect it.

If Steve read some of these postings he would give a big, wide, thin grin, and just laugh at you. The idea of trying to use him as a poster child for someones cause would humor him greatly, regardless of the topic (the Iraq War in general, Bush/Cheney, 60 being too old for a combat zone). He did his job well, in a very unnassuming manner, and did not care if he got any attention because of it.

Do not know if Steve "beleived" in our involvement in Iraq, but he was always more concerned with the task at hand.

Give him the respect he deserves, honor those who continue to serve, and if you want to use Steve to grind your personal ax, do it in a forum that will make a difference. After all, he went to war to ensure that you had the right to express your personal opinion. Use it to some good instead of just venting anonymously.

[Hnorc]

RIP Brother Soldier.

[jennysez]

Thank you, and all those who volunteer to serve this country at war or on the home-front, for their sacrifices from which we all benefit from.

'Til every soldier returns home, support the USO.

[carlgt1]

can I just be sorry he fell for the Bush/Cheney hype of "Saddam was behind 9/11"? I can see he felt he wanted to get involved after 9/11 -- but then they shipped him off to a place that had zilch to do with 9/11.

[Azcat85]

Can't get over it can you. It must really be tough in your world living in the past. Can you change it? Nope. Get a life and live in the today.

RIP my fellow comrade in arms.

Retired USAF officer, 23 years

[RRoadrunner]

There was a time when our government acknowledged the service of our veterans and would have thanked them for their service and not allowed them to go back into harms way. I know this from experience. My late father served in WWI (lying about his age) and WWII. Unable to re-enlist in the military because of wounds from WWI he served in the Merchant Marines. When Vietnam rolled around he wanted to join and was told he had already done enough. Things have really changed. Sometimes courage needs to be tempered.

[makeck]

Yes, that was back when the DRAFT existed, in all instances you mention. Manpower pool was as large as the government desired to make it. This is a volunteer military. If 20 and 30 year olds don't volunteer, then 50 year olds do. Merely stating facts, not drawing conclusions.