Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company D, 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, 13th Airborne Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

July 27th, 1945

Second Lieutenant Fred P. Hughes, 01691940, 517th Parachute Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action near Bergstein, Germany, 8 February 1945. In order to hold an important position, Second Lieutenant Hughes voluntarily exposed himself to the heavy enemy barrage in order to direct mortar fire on the enemy. Undeterred by the concentration of mortar and artillery shells on his observation post, Second Lieutenant Hughes remained in position, transmitting information back to the Battalion Command Post until the defending force was ordered to withdraw. Observing one of his men fall seriously wounded, Second Lieutenant Hughes and another volunteer crawled to the casualty and remained with him as the outnumbered company fell back. Under Heavy fire and assisted by the other man, Second Lieutenant Hughes carried the casualty five hundred yards over the slippery, dangerous terrain of a minefield to a point from which evacuation was accomplished. Second Lieutenant Hughes’ unhesitating and courageous actions in endangering his own life to save a fellow soldier exemplify the highest traditions of the military service. Entered the military service from High Port, North Carolina.

Headquarters, 13th Airborne Division, General Orders No. 48 (27 July 1945).