James L. (Jim) Hughes

Jim Hughes enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 17, 1945, and served as a ship fireman until his honorable discharge from the Navy on August 9, 1946, having served in the Pacific after the end of World War II. After attending Iowa State College, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on September 15, 1950. Lieutenant Hughes then completed advanced flight training and pilot instructor training before serving as a flight instructor with the 3565th Training Squadron at James Connally AFB, Texas, and then with the 3625th Training Wing at Tyndall AFB, Florida. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot with the 3550th Training Group at Moody AFB, Georgia, followed by service as an F-94 Starfire pilot with the 46th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware. He served as a flight instructor with the 1100th Air Base Group at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C., and then deployed to Japan as an F-94 pilot with the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Captain Hughes next served as an F-86 Sabre pilot with the 41st Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Yokota AB, Japan, followed by service on the staff of the 41st Air Division at Irumigawa, Japan. After completing Basic Instructor School, he served as an instructor pilot and flight commander with the 3615th Flying Training Squadron at Craig AFB, Alabama. During this time he completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Omaha through an Operation Bootstrap assignment. Major Hughes then received an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to the University of New Hampshire to complete a second degree program. His next assignment was as a Programs Officer with Headquarters Rome Air Development Center at Griffiss AFB, New York, followed by F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training from August to December 1966. Lieutenant Colonel Hughes deployed to Southeast Asia in February 1967, where he served as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from February 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on May 5, 1967.