John Arthur Hughes

John Arthur Hughes (November 2, 1880 – May 25, 1942) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz.

John A. Hughes
Hughes as a captain, c. 1915
Born	(1880-11-02)November 2, 1880 New York City, U.S.
Died	May 25, 1942(1942-05-25) (aged 61)
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1900–1919
Rank	Colonel
Battles / wars	Occupation of Veracruz World War I
Awards	Medal of Honor Navy Cross Croix de Guerre with Palm Purple Heart Medal

Hughes joined the Marine Corps in March 1900, and was commissioned as an officer in December 1901. As the result of a gas attack during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, he was medically retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in July 1919.

Hughes died on May 25, 1942, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 2 November 1880, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Capt. Hughes was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

Navy Cross citation

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to John A. Hughes, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service as Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment Marines. In the operations of his battalion at Belleau Woods from the 10th to the 13th of June, 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes showed himself a gallant, courageous and determined commander of men.

Inflicting severe losses on the enemy, capturing many prisoners, twenty machine guns, six minnenwerfers and other booty. The brilliant success of this battalion was in a great measure due to his coolness in all crises, unfailing good humor and accurate judgment. Lieutenant Colonel Hughes led his men superbly under most trying conditions against the most distinguished elements of the German Army, administering to those organizations their first defeat.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)

References

• "'John Hughes' entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2008-05-21.

External links

• John Arthur Hughes, ArlingtonCemetery.net, 4 July 2023, an unofficial website

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.