[2] He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and was severely wounded outside Frankfurt, Germany when an anti-tank shell struck his face.

Hines completed the Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1932 and was promoted to first lieutenant, after which he commanded a company at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Albany, Missouri.

Hines had left Morfelden in his tank and advanced toward the Frankfurt airport with his lead troops, intending to destroy a large concentration of anti-aircraft artillery, which would increase the chances of seizing intact one or more of the bridges into the city.

Hines was blinded, suffered burns and other facial injuries, and lost several fingers on his left hand.

Hines was evacuated, and began a series of surgeries and treatments at hospitals in France, England, and the United States.

While in Combat Command A, 6th Armored Division, Hines was awarded: the Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster; Army Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster; Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters; the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier); and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

His pre-World War II awards included the Royal Order of Cambodia and the Dragon of Annam (French Indo-China).