Stanley S. Hughes

Stanley Smith Hughes (29 October 1918 – 5 January 2001) was raised in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

He joined the Marines in 1940 as an enlisted man and at the start of World War II was selected for officer training.

He was assigned as a weapons platoon commander in the First Marine Division.

He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

In Vietnam as the commander of the First Marine Regiment he conducted the relief operation of the Khe Sanh Combat Base and was in command during the heaviest fighting at the Battle of Hue.

He was the only Marine to have been awarded the Navy Cross in both World War II and Vietnam.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Stanley Smith Hughes (MCSN: 0-12654), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a machine gun platoon attached to a company of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 4 January 1944.

When the advance of his company was stopped on the banks of a stream by a withering hail of enemy machine-gun fire from the opposite side which killed the leaders of both assault platoons and inflicted heavy casualties, First Lieutenant Hughes unhesitatingly exposed himself to the relentless hostile fire and, rallying the remnants of the platoons, courageously led them across the stream where they remained isolated in a precarious position.

He then braved the enemy fire alone to re-cross the stream in an attempt to bring up reinforcements but, finding none available, rejoined his men, carrying them food.

By his valiant leadership, First Lieutenant Hughes inspired his men to tremendous effort and enabled them to provide effective cover for other units subsequently making the hazardous crossing.

His selfless courage and indomitable fighting spirit contributed materially to the complete destruction of the enemy defenses and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: SPOT AWARD, Commander, 7th Fleet: Serial 0689 (SofN Signed 14 September 1944)

Action Date: 4 January 1944

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: First Lieutenant

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Stanley Smith Hughes (MCSN: 0-12654), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, 16 September 1944.

After he landed in the assault and established a beachhead on the previous day against strong hostile opposition, Captain Hughes vigorously continued to push the attack until all remaining enemy forces in his zone of action were driven across a sand spit and onto a small peninsula upon which they prepared a last-ditch defense from heavily fortified positions.

While directing the reduction of the hostile positions which commanded the sand spit, he frequently exposed himself to enemy fire and, although wounded in the shoulder, refused to be evacuated and continued to press the attack until all remaining Japanese in that zone of action were annihilated.

His outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00597

Action Date: 16 September 1944

Service: Marine Corps

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Colonel Stanley Smith Hughes (MCSN: 0-12654), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 February 1968.

During Operation HUE CITY, Colonel Hughes displaced his command post from Phu Bai to Hue along National Route One through enemy controlled territory.

Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire around him as he entered the besieged city, he rapidly moved his men along the fire-swept streets to reach the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Compound.

Moving to a vantage point on a roof top, he directed accurate counter-mortar and sniper fire, effectively suppressing the hostile fire in the area.

He then maneuvered two battalions in an aggressive assault against the enemy, repeatedly disregarding his own safety to move to the areas of heaviest fighting to advise his commanders, encourage his men and personally request and direct support arms fire.

When the First Battalion, Fifth Marines was attached to his regiment during heavy fighting, he fearlessly crossed the footbridge over the Perfume River under heavy fire, joining the command group at the Citadel to brief the unit commanders of the tactical situation and remain abreast of the battalion's progress.

He repeatedly traveled across dangerously exposed areas to ensure the availability and uninterrupted distribution of vital supply items and equipment to his units.

By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and superior tactical skill, Colonel Hughes was instrumental in the defeat and annihilation of a numerically superior enemy force, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

Action Date: 3 February 1968

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Colonel

Company: Commanding Officer

Regiment: 1st Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMF.