Colonel Heyward G. Hutson, III USA (Retired)
Heyward G. Hutson III was commissioned into the Field Artillery in 1990 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. COL Hutson served in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 10th Mountain Division, the Joint Readiness Training Center, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the Joint Center for Operational Analysis (United States Joint Forces Command) before commanding the 2nd battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment where he deployed the battalion to Baghdad, Iraq as a maneuver task force partnered with an Iraqi Federal Police brigade.
Following command, COL Hutson served as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. COL Hutson then served as the Chief of Joint and Lethal Fires for USARCENT / Third Army before assuming command of the 212th Fires Brigade with the 1st Armored Division. During command, COL Hutson converted the brigade into the Army’s first Division Artillery (DIVARTY) serving his final year in command as the 1st Armored Division’s DIVARTY commander. COL Hutson served his last three years in the Army as the Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery branch at Fort Sill, OK before retiring on 1 September 2018.
COL Hutson earned a bachelor’s of science degree from West Point and a master’s degree in Education from Northwestern State University. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery officer basic and advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the U.S. Army War College.
COL Hutson’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star Medal (2), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (10), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, numerous campaign and service medals, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutists Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.
Over his career, COL Hutson actively participated as a volunteer in the numerous communities where he resided earning many state and local commendations. COL Hutson served as a Paramedic and firefighter for the Sackets Harbor Volunteer Fire Department (SHVFD), and 18 years as a Rescue Diver and Dive Team Captain for the Jefferson County, NY Special Tactics and Rescue Team (STAR Team) covering the eastern end of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Currently, COL Hutson is a certified South Carolina State Constable and serves as a diver with the Charleston County Sheriffs’ Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team. COL Hutson also serves as an EMT and rescue specialist with the Charleston County Rescue Squad.
COL Hutson is married to the former Julie Ellis from Sackets Harbor, New York. They have five children: Emilee (30), Allison (24), Heyward IV (22), Seth (22) and David (20).
