Medals
Received: AIR MEDAL W/ OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PURPLE HEART MEDAL,
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, PRESIDENTAL UNIT
CITATION MEDAL (EAME) WITH BATTLE STAR
Military
Job: M/SGT / FLIGHT ENGINEER
Company:
TWA
Occupation
after War: MECHANIC
Bio:
William Hughes was born on Nov. 16 1923 in Liberal, MO and passed away
on March 26, 1999. Following high school, Mr. Hughes joined the Eighth
Air Force and served in WWII as a M/Sgt flight engineer, in the European
Theater, with the 489th Bomber Group. He was stationed in England and
after several missions was captured in Holland on March 8, 1944 and
interned in Stalags 4 & 6. He received the AVA (Oak Leaf Cluster),
Purple Heart, WWII Victory, POW, Good Conduct, American Campaign,
Presidential Unit Citation; same with one Battle Star. After being
liberated on May 1945, he was discharged on October 23, 1945.
He was married to Louise Hughes for over 51 years and resided in KC. He
had four daughters (Trish Hughes Troutz, Marjorie Hughes, Mary Beth
Robeson and Christine Bossung) and a son (W. David Hughes), plus 2
grandsons and 2 granddaughters.
Bill worked for large truck companies as a mechanic and foreman for
companies such as White Motor Co., Mack Truck Co. and TWA but retired on
medical leave from TWA. He was the Past Commander of the Disabled
American Veterans, the VFW Post #5606 and stayed active in the Heart of
America Chapter of Ex-POWs.
