Henry W Hitchcock

Melbourne - Retired Army Colonel Henry W. Hitchcock (43rd Infantry Division) passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in 1931 in Bellows Falls, VT. He was the son of Lewis E. Hitchcock and Eva A. (Gibson) Hitchcock. He was a descendant of Luke Hitchcock (1605-1659) and a sixth-generation Vermonter whose ancestors were some of the first settlers of Westminster, VT in 1776. He attended schools in Alstead, NH.

Henry was mobilized with Co E, 2d Bn 172d Inf, 43rd Infantry Division on 5 Sep 1950 for active Duty during the Korean War and served in Virginia and Germany. He received a direct appointment as a 2nd LT of Infantry in 1955 and successfully completed courses at the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, the US Army Armor School, Fort Knox, KY and the US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

He served 38 years in the Army and Army National Guard and was a Civil Service employee with the Army National Guard of Vermont for 27 years, retiring in January 1987 as Director of Logistics. On the occasion honoring his 38 years of military service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal. He was a member of the 43rd Infantry Division Veterans Association, National Guard Association of VT and VFW. He moved to Melbourne, FL from Shelburne, VT in 1987.

Having dated since the eighth grade, Henry leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Mary Ann (Buss) Hitchcock of Melbourne, FL. Family members include his three daughters, two grandsons, four granddaughters and four great grandchildren. Burial will be in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT on a date to be determined.