Hugh Richard Higgins, Major General, United States Army

Hugh Richard Higgins
Major General, United States Army

Marquise Garrison Higgins

Marquise Garrison Higgins, 79, of Annandale, Virginia, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, died May 16, 2001, in Alexandria, Virginia. Her husband was former DSCC Commander, Army Major General (retired) Hugh Richard Higgins who preceded her in death in 1997.

HIGGINS Marquise Garrison Higgins, 79, of Annandale, Virginia, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, died Wednesday, May 16, 2001 in Alexandria, Virginia from complications of pneumonia following a long illness. Her husband of 46 years, retired U. S. Army Major General and Columbus civic leader Hugh Richard Higgins preceded her in death in 1997. A Columbus native, Mrs. Higgins graduated from North High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from The Ohio State University in 1944. Upon graduation from OSU, she became a marketing specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and worked throughout the United States during World War II and the post-War years, conducting inspections of food processing facilities. In 1950, she married then Captain Higgins. For the remainder of his 36-year military career, she accompanied him on assignments throughout the United States and Europe. On their various postings, Mrs. Higgins served as a volunteer for a number of service organizations, including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and numerous religious, educational, and family relief societies. In 1975, Mrs. Higgins returned to Columbus when her husband assumed command of Defense Construction Supply Center.

When General Higgins retired from active military duty in 1978 and became a Vice President of Capital University, the Higginses once again made Columbus their permanent home and became involved with a variety of community causes and organizations. Mrs. Higgins was a member of First Community Church. Other affiliations include the Athletic Club of Columbus, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and the North High School Alumni Society. At the time of her death, she was undergoing medical treatment in suburban Washington D.C., where she had relocated in 1999. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Higgins O'Malley; son in law, Joseph B. O'Malley, Jr. and granddaughters, Meghan Elizabeth O'Malley and Kerrigan Catherine Kells O'Malley, all of Annandale, Virginia. Survivors also include her sister, Nancy (Mrs. Robert) Laux, and niece, Susan Elizabeth Laux, both of Columbus, and nephew, Philip Laux, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2001 in the Burkhart Chapel of First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, where family will receive friends immediately following the service. Dr. Richard Wing officiating.

Major General and Mrs. Higgins will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery after a private graveside service with military honors. Contributions in Mrs. Higgins' memory may be made to the American Heart Association- Columbus Metro Division's "Heart of Higgins" Award, which was established to honor her late husband, c/o 5455 North High Street, P.O. Box 163549, Columbus, OH 43216-3549.

90th Infantry Division in the Bulge -- 343d FA Bn, 90th Infantry Division -- by Hugh R. Higgins, 1st Lt.

This document includes a transcription of an interview with Major General Hugh R. Higgins on 22 February 1985. Higgins was a graduate of Ohio State University and completed the advanced ROTC program at that institution in 1942. He remained in the regular army after World War II and retired as a Major General. This account covers the period from 1 January through 15 January 1945 and reports the movement of the 90th Infantry Division to attack the southern edge of the Bulge. Lt. Higgins was wounded in this action. [available only at the U.S. Army Military History Institute].

HR Higgins Gravesite PHOTO
Photograph By M. R. Patterson, October 2002

Posted: 21 October 2001 Updated: 14 October 2002 Updated: 7 March 2003 Updated: 14 May 2006

World War II
Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished
Service Medal

Silver Star
Medal