Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

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

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company K

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)

Division: 1st Cavalry Division

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       First Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

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

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company K

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)

Division: 1st Cavalry Division

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 Second Silver Star

 Awarded for actions during the Korean War

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

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company K

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)

Division: 1st Cavalry Division

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Third Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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

 Service: Army

 Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

 Company: Commanding Officer

 Battalion: 1st Battalion

 Regiment: 27th Infantry Regiment

 Division: 25th Infantry Division

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