John Leonard Hines (21 May 1868 – 13 October 1968) was an American general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1924 to 1926.

[1] Hines was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia,[2] to Irish parents, Edward and Mary.

Having won a competitive examination for a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, Hines, despite having a hard time maintaining his passing grades, nevertheless graduated and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry on 12 June 1891.

[7] Hines commanded the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, from May to August 1918, during which time he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest decoration for valor in the United States Armed Forces, with the medal's citation reading: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General John Leonard Hines, Sr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while Commanding the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, A.E.F., near Berzy-le-Sec, France, 21 July 1918.

[4] His army biography states that as chief of staff, he "stressed the need for balance in funding and personnel for all parts of the permanent establishment, pointed up the effects of strength deficiencies upon Army capability to meet the provisions of the National Defense Act of 1920, and urged action on housing and promotions to promote personnel retention.

[11] In 1926, after completing his tour as Army Chief of Staff, Hines took command of the IX Corps Area in California, which he led until 1930.

He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and was severely wounded outside Frankfurt, Germany when an 88 mm antitank shell grazed his face.