John C. Hughes

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to John C. Hughes (0-58930), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, 3d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Hughes distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Ung-Pong, Korea, on 27 November 1950. Learning of an enemy breach through the right flank of his company’s sector which, seriously threatened the perimeter, Captain Hughes led a small force up a slope through mortar, grenade, and small-arms fire. Although wounded, he refused medical aid, gained the crest of the ridge, and recaptured a portion of the lost ground. Later, when enemy machine-gun fire raked his unit, he led a daring charge on the emplacement which annihilated the hostile crew with grenade and rifle fire and routed the remaining enemy from the ridge. Captain Hughes remained on the perimeter, repeatedly exposed himself to heavy fire to direct the defense until daylight, and refused evacuation until assured that the enemy attack was definitely repulsed.
War Department General Orders No. 91 (October 24, 1951)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John C. Hughes (0-58930), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, 3d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Hughes distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chuam, Korea, on 3 September 1950. Within a six hour period, Captain Hughes’ company was attacked five times by a battalion of the enemy. When the communications, disrupted by enemy fire, made the loss of centralized control imminent, Captain Hughes, disregarding his personal safety and exposing himself to enemy fire, ran from position to position directing and supervising the fire being placed on the enemy. His fearlessness and the manner in which he repeatedly braved the incessant rain of bullets and shell fragments in order to coordinate the Company’s fire power were the prime factors in repelling the five attacks and achieving an overwhelming victory.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 20 (January 13, 1951)