John R. Hodge

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LTG John Reed Hodge

John Reed Hodge (June 12, 1893 - November 12, 1963) was a military officer of the United States Army. He was born in Golconda, Illinois. He entered military service as a Second Lieutenant in 1917, after completing Officer Candidate School. He served in World War I in France and Luxembourg.

During World War II, Hodge served in the Pacific Theater. He was promoted to General during the Philippines Campaign in 1944. In 1945 he served in Okinawa and was promoted to Lieutenant General in August, becoming commander of the XXIV Corps of the US Tenth Army.

From 1945 to 1948, Hodge was the military governor of South Korea under the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK). He took his corps to Korea under orders of General MacArthur, landing at Incheon on September 8, 1945. He was the commanding officer receiving the surrender of all Japanese troops in Korea south of the 38th parallel.

Hodge then returned to Fort Bragg from 1948 to 1950. After the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, he was made Commanding General of the US Third Army.

Hodge retired in June 1953.