David Ralph Hughes
Colonel, U.S. Army

David Ralph Hughes was born on a kitchen table in Englewood, CO, on 18 May 1928, the firstborn child of David Ralph and Helen McDaniel Hughes. He was first called 'Sonny' by the family and in school was called 'D. Ralph.'

David attended Colorado Military School from the sixth grade through his high school graduation in 1946. It was there that he learned about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After the application process for the Academy was completed, David was selected and reported to the USMA on 1 July 1946. It was at West Point that he first became known as Dave or 'David.'

In April 1950, the Class of 1950 cadets had the opportunity to choose their branch of service, and initial assignments, before their coming graduation on 6 June. David not only selected the Infantry branch, he also chose the only separate, straight-leg, Rifle Company in the U.S. Army - the 77th Separate Rifle Company at Fort Riley, KS.

Due to the outbreak of the Korean War, the normal routine of newly-commissioned officers from the Academy getting to attend the Basic Infantry Officers Course was unavailable for all the Second Lieutenants in the Class of 1950. [Forty men from the Class of 1950 were killed in action during the Korean War. That is the highest number of any class which served in that war - or any other war.] 2LT Hughes arrived in Inchon, South Korea, in November 1950 and was assigned as a replacement officer to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

Hughes' valorous actions during the Korean War resulted in his being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster in Lieu of a Second Award. He also fought in Vietnam, where he was issued yet another Oak Leaf Cluster in Lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star Medal.

Colonel David Ralph Hughes retired from the U.S. Army on 31 January 1973.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Numeral 14
Joint Service Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantry Badge with Star (2nd Award)
Greek Cross of War Class C

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Ralph Hughes (ASN: 0-62721), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Hughes distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on 7 October 1951. On that date, the company which Lieutenant Hughes commanded was engaged in an assault against a large hostile force occupying a strategic hill. As the battle raged, the enemy, holding commanding positions, hurled countless grenades down the slope toward the friendly troops. This, in conjunction with a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic weapons fire, was responsible for numerous casualties among the assaulting element. From his command post, Lieutenant Hughes observed that his badly decimated force was in imminent danger of annihilation. Rapidly organizing all of the able-bodied men about him, he moved forward to lead a new attack. Reaching the hard-pressed men, he shouted words of encouragement to them and then single-handedly advanced against the enemy positions. Disregarding the concentrated fire of the foe, he charged to the crest of the hill, fired his automatic weapon until it no longer functioned, and then pressed the attack solely with grenades. His audacious assault completely demoralized the enemy and, as he moved among them fighting fiercely, his men charged up the slope and engaged the hostile troops in close combat. Imbued with his fearlessness, the friendly troops fought their way over the crest of the hill, inflicting heavy casualties on the foe and securing the objective.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 131 (March 6, 1952) Action Date: October 7, 1951

Silver Star Medal Citation - First Award

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Ralph Hughes (ASN: 0-62721), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in action on 8 February 1951, near Konjiam-ni, Korea. During an attack against firmly established enemy hill positions, Lieutenant Hughes' platoon was held up by extremely severe enemy mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Realizing the urgency of the mission, he single-handedly charged the enemy position, with complete disregard for his own safety and at great risk to his own life. Completely ignoring seven enemy concussion grenades which were thrown directly at him, Lieutenant Hughes fearlessly rushed the enemy positions, firing his rifle. After firing all of his ammunition he continued moving from one enemy position to another, throwing grenades into their emplacements. During this action Lieutenant Hughes killed or wounded five of the enemy. His aggressiveness and complete disregard for his own welfare contributed greatly in his unit's successful completion of their mission. First Lieutenant Hughes' gallantry reflects great credit on himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 71 (April 10, 1951) Action Date: 8-Feb-51

Silver Star Medal Citation - Second Award

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Ralph Hughes (ASN: 0-62721), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in action on 28 September 195, near Hyonjo, Korea. On that date, at 2400 hours, an estimated enemy battalion attacked Company K, penetrating the friendly lines at two points. The enemy overran the defensive area, severed all communications, split the company into three different groups and completely disrupted the organization. During the hours of darkness, Lieutenant Hughes, although under continual small arms fire, reorganized the company and commanded it in such a superior manner, that the unit was able to repel and stall the enemy until daylight. Many times during the night, Lieutenant Hughes personally led small groups of men in attacks against hostile strong points, accounting for numerous enemy dead. As a result of his courageous actions, the company defensive perimeter was maintained. Lieutenant Hughes' gallantry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 327 (October 21, 1951) Action Date: 28-Sep-51

Silver Star Medal Citation - Third Award

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Ralph Hughes (ASN: 0-62721), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 12 July 1967, while serving as Commander of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during a combat operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Hughes had led his Battalion through a series of heliborne combat assaults in response to local intelligence reports when one of his companies became heavily engaged with a Viet Cong battalion firing from well-protected and camouflaged concrete bunkers. Colonel Hughes landed another company to the west of the enemy positions in a link-up movement but this company was also pinned down by heavy enemy automatic weapons, anti-tank rockets and small arms fire. Colonel Hughes then personally landed with his remaining company and rallied his forces, driving a wedge between the Viet Cong positions. Colonel Hughes led the element through a wide sweep of the Viet Cong positions and upon approaching a canal they were again brought under intense enemy fire. In repeated attempts to move the company forward Colonel Hughes continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire often rolling and struggling his way through the deep mud between friendly positions. Enemy grazing fire laced the unit's position as he scrambled from man to man in an attempt to rally the company which now had taken moderate casualties. While the casualties were being moved to the evacuation area, Colonel Hughes, still moving under enemy fire, reformed the company and mounted a level of fire that forced the enemy to break contact. He then led the company through a determined drive to link up with his other companies and directed them in the formation of a defensive perimeter that included all elements of the battalion. Throughout the night he went from man to man, directing and encouraging them in order to insure the security of the perimeter. Colonel Hughes' heroic actions were of immeasurable value to the defeat of the enemy force and the successful completion of the mission. Colonel Hughes' personal bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4639 (Douglas 1, 1967) Action Date: 12-Jul-67

For greater details on all aspects of his life and military career, including photos, visit the David Hughes Legacy Site at www.davehugheslegacy.net/.