Background
John H. Hilldring was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 27, 1895.
John H. Hilldring was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 27, 1895.
He was educated at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1918.
He was of Swedish descent. He served in the United States Army during World War I, with the rank of First Lieutenant. He saw action in France and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Hilldring went on to become a career officer in the Army.
In this capacity, he was posted in the Philippines. In 1936, he was appointed to the General Staff of the United States Army.
With the rank of Major General, he became the commanding general of the 84th Division later in 1942. In 1943, he became the Chief of the Army"s Civil Affairs Division.
In this capacity, he served as a United States. delegate at the Potsdam Conference.
Hilldring retired from the Army in 1946. On April 12, 1946, President of the United States nominated Hilldring to be Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas. He was sworn in on April 17, 1946, and held office until August 31, 1947.
In 1950, Hilldring became foreign-operations manager of General Aniline & Film, a Swiss chemical firm that was seized by the United States. during World World War II on suspicion of Nazi domination.
He was promoted to executive vice president in 1954, and became the company"s president in 1955.
