TITLE:  John M. Hightower

SOURCE: The Beaufort Gazette, June 14, 2001

SUBMITTED: The Beaufort Gazette

FORMATTED: Kim Grissom, June 2001

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John M. Hightower
FORT GORDON, Ga. - Retired Army Maj. Gen. John M. Hightower, 84, 
husband of 60 years of Lois Dunkle Hightower, died Tuesday, June 12, 
2001 in Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon. Memorial services 
with honors will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the Georgia Room of 
Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road, Evans, Ga. Burial will be in Beaufort 
National Cemetery, with full military honors, at 11 a.m. Monday. Maj. 
Gen. Hightower was born July 29, 1916 in Coleman, Texas. He graduated 
from New Mexico State University in 1940, was commissioned a second 
lieutenant, Infantry, Regular Army, July 1, 1940 and assigned to the 
23rd Infantry, Second Infantry Division, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He 
served with the 23rd until, as lieutenant colonel commanding the 1st 
Battalion, he was wounded near Nieder-Breisig, Germany, on March 10, 
1945. The following 28 years brought many interesting assignment: 
Stateside, West Point, Fort Benning, Fort Dix, Fort Hamilton, three 
Pentagon tours, Command and Staff College, Army War College and State 
Department School; Overseas, General Headquarters, Far East Command, 
Tokyo, commanding officer, 32nd Infantry, Seventh Division; Allied 
Land Forces, Central Europe, France; Military Assistance Group (MAG) 
China, Taiwan and MAG Greece. Maj. Gen. Hightower retired at Fort 
Hamilton, N.Y., on Aug. 1, 1973, with the Distinguished Service Cross, 
Distinguished Service Medal, three Silver Star Medals, four Legions of 
Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Purple
Hearts, the French Croix de Guerre avec Palm, the Belgian Fourragere, 
Star of Ethiopia, Combat Infantry Badge with Star and Distinguished 
Unit Citation, 1st Battalion. After retiring to Beaufort, Maj. Gen. 
Hightower was director of Beaufort Chamber of Commerce for a short
time and a member of The Retired Officers Association. He was one of 
several multi-star generals who had served together in the 2nd Infantry
Division and retired to Royal Pines Country Club at about the same 
time. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Ann Hightower Pickel of 
Omaha, Neb. and Jane Ellen Hightower of Martinez, Ga.; a son, 
Christopher John Hightower of Oconee County, S.C., a sister, Bettie 
O'Neal of Little Rock, Ark.; and four grandchildren. The family 
suggests those who wish may make memorial contributions to Brandon 
Wilde Beebe Educational Endowment, 4275 Owens Road, Evans, GA 30809. 
Platt's Funeral Home, Evans, is in charge. 
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