Charles W. Hughes, Jr.
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 19 February 1942, Second Lieutenant Charles W. Hughes, Jr. was serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter plane in the 33rd Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), 8th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force.

On that day, 2LT Hughes’ unit was in aerial action against Japanese forces during an air mission near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. 2LT Hughes was piloting one of a flight of 10 pursuit planes forced by unfavorable weather to turn back from a ferry flight from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies. When the flight arrived at Darwin, but before refueling could be completed, news of an approaching Japanese aircraft formation was received. The Japanese force consisted of approximately 60 high-level bombers, 36 fighters and 18 dive-bombers. In spite of the tremendous odds, 2LT Hughes bravely attacked the Japanese formation, inflicting heavy damage, and continued the attack until his plane was shot down. 2LT Hughes’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his own life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

2LT Hughes was declared Missing in Action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles W. Hughes (0-427738), Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 33d Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 19 February 1942, during an air mission near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. On that date, Second Lieutenant Hugh was Pilot of one of a flight of ten pursuit airplanes forced by unfavorable weather to turn back from a ferry flight from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies. When the flight arrived at Darwin, and before refueling could be effected, information of the approach of an enemy formation was received. When the approaching enemy, consisting of approximately sixty high-level bombers, thirty-six fighters and eighteen dive-bombers was intercepted, Lieutenant Hughes, in spite of the tremendous odds, courageously attacked the enemy formation, inflicting heavy damage, and continued the attack until his airplane was shot down. Second Lieutenant Hughes' unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 27 (1942)

Memorialization

The remains of Second Lieutenant Charles W. Hughes, Jr. have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Findagrave Memorial ID 56765276