Photo and Biography
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PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
Length of service 0 years His tour began on Nov 26, 1968 Casualty was on Mar 15, 1969 In , SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS Body was recovered Panel 29W - Line 45 More information on March 15, 1969 |
Specialist Four Carl Wayne Hughes
Company C, 1st Battalion
5th Infantry Regiment [Mechanized], 25th Infantry Division
United States Army
Carl Wayne Hughes, a 20-year-old single soldier in the United States Army, was born November 26, 1948, in the Adel District of Cook County, Georgia. His Military Number was 53705762; his MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] was 11B10. The "11B" portion of the code indicates he was an infantryman; the "10" portion indicates the level of infantryman's skill
training.
Specialist Hughes was a casualty of the Vietnam War, dying in action on March 15, 1969 in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. His body was returned to the states; his grave is located in the family plot in the Brushy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. His name appears on the Vietnam Memorial Wall on Panel 29W, Line 45.
He was the son of Walter Leon Hughes and his wife, the former Myrtle Linda Gray. He was the second of eight children in the family.
Carl entered the first grade in the fall of 1954 at Turner Elementary School in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia. His second grade year found him at Isabella Elementary School in the same city. In the fall of 1956 Carl entered Lenox Grammar School as a third grader; the family lived on Route 1, Lenox, Cook County, Georgia.
Beginning with his fourth grade year, Carl was a student of Adel Elementary School. He finished his elementary years at Adel, and entered Cook High School as an eighth grader in the fall of 1961. Carl graduated from Cook High School on June 7, 1966. He worked on the farm in the months following completion of high school. On May 1, 1968 he completed a
preliminary battery of written tests; he next reported to Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida on May 14 where he formally entered the United States Army with the rank of PVT-E1. His term was for two years.
From Jacksonville he was sent to the United States Army Training Center, Infantry, at Fort Polk, Louisiana where he took a battery of aptitude tests on May 17-18. He began formal training on May 27, 1968, as a recruit in Company A, Second Battalion, First Training Brigade.
Basic training was completed on July 19, 1968 at which time his records show he was qualified in the use of the M-14 and M-60 weapons. On this same date Carl was afforded the benefit of "Accelerated Advancement to Private E2". On August 5, 1968, Private Hughes began Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk. He was in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th AIT Brigade, United States Army Training Center, Infantry.
On October 4, 1968, Private Hughes left Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was enroute to Fort Benning, Georgia. The following day, October 5, he officially entered Basic Airborne Training as a member of the 42nd Company, Class #14, 4th Student Battalion (Airborne). Two days later on October 7, 1968, he was again promoted; his new rank was Private, First Class [PFC-E3].
On November 26, 1968, Carl's twentieth birthday, he commenced his overseas tour of duty in Vietnam. On December 4, 1968, according to a letter home, he was finally assigned to a specific fighting unit. He was placed in Company C, 1st Battalion [Mechanized], 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
Killed in action on March 15, 1969, the "Report of Casualty" was received in the department on March 17.
The following front page news story appeared in Carl's home town paper, The Adel News, on March 19, the same day the family received the second telegram.
Company C, 1st Battalion
5th Infantry Regiment [Mechanized], 25th Infantry Division
United States Army
Carl Wayne Hughes, a 20-year-old single soldier in the United States Army, was born November 26, 1948, in the Adel District of Cook County, Georgia. His Military Number was 53705762; his MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] was 11B10. The "11B" portion of the code indicates he was an infantryman; the "10" portion indicates the level of infantryman's skill
training.
Specialist Hughes was a casualty of the Vietnam War, dying in action on March 15, 1969 in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. His body was returned to the states; his grave is located in the family plot in the Brushy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. His name appears on the Vietnam Memorial Wall on Panel 29W, Line 45.
He was the son of Walter Leon Hughes and his wife, the former Myrtle Linda Gray. He was the second of eight children in the family.
Carl entered the first grade in the fall of 1954 at Turner Elementary School in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia. His second grade year found him at Isabella Elementary School in the same city. In the fall of 1956 Carl entered Lenox Grammar School as a third grader; the family lived on Route 1, Lenox, Cook County, Georgia.
Beginning with his fourth grade year, Carl was a student of Adel Elementary School. He finished his elementary years at Adel, and entered Cook High School as an eighth grader in the fall of 1961. Carl graduated from Cook High School on June 7, 1966. He worked on the farm in the months following completion of high school. On May 1, 1968 he completed a
preliminary battery of written tests; he next reported to Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida on May 14 where he formally entered the United States Army with the rank of PVT-E1. His term was for two years.
From Jacksonville he was sent to the United States Army Training Center, Infantry, at Fort Polk, Louisiana where he took a battery of aptitude tests on May 17-18. He began formal training on May 27, 1968, as a recruit in Company A, Second Battalion, First Training Brigade.
Basic training was completed on July 19, 1968 at which time his records show he was qualified in the use of the M-14 and M-60 weapons. On this same date Carl was afforded the benefit of "Accelerated Advancement to Private E2". On August 5, 1968, Private Hughes began Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk. He was in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th AIT Brigade, United States Army Training Center, Infantry.
On October 4, 1968, Private Hughes left Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was enroute to Fort Benning, Georgia. The following day, October 5, he officially entered Basic Airborne Training as a member of the 42nd Company, Class #14, 4th Student Battalion (Airborne). Two days later on October 7, 1968, he was again promoted; his new rank was Private, First Class [PFC-E3].
On November 26, 1968, Carl's twentieth birthday, he commenced his overseas tour of duty in Vietnam. On December 4, 1968, according to a letter home, he was finally assigned to a specific fighting unit. He was placed in Company C, 1st Battalion [Mechanized], 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
Killed in action on March 15, 1969, the "Report of Casualty" was received in the department on March 17.
The following front page news story appeared in Carl's home town paper, The Adel News, on March 19, the same day the family received the second telegram.
Cook County Man Killed In Viet Nam Saturday
The family of Spec. 4 Carl Wayne Hughes were notified Tuesday of his death at the hands of hostile action in Vietnam on Saturday, March 15.
Reports are incomplete, but it is known that he received mortal wounds from small arms fire at an area about 40 miles northeast of Saigon. Sgt. McDaniel of Thomasville, an Army representative, made the notification and said more information on the nature of Spec. 4 Hughes' death would be available in 24-48 hours.
A 1966 graduate of Cook High School, Hughes, 20, entered the Army May 13, 1968 and received his basic training at Ft. Polk, La. He had been in Viet Nam for four months, having left on his birthday, November 26.
He was a member of the Hornet football team while at Cook High, playing halfback.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr. of Cecil, he attended Concord Primitive Baptist Church.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr., of Cecil; two brothers, W. L. Hughes, Jr., and Ronnie Hughes, Adel; five sisters, Donna, Wanda, Bonnie, Cathy and Christy Hughes, all of Adel; grandparents Mrs. Viola Hughes of Lenox and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Gray of Sparks.
Ellis W. Williamson, Major General and Commander of the 25th Infantry Division,
wrote to Carl's parents on April 1, 1969.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO SAN FRANCISCO 96225
1 APR 1969
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes
Route #1
Adel, Georgia 31620
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes:
The officers and men of the 25th Infantry Division join me in extending our deepest and sincerest sympathy for the loss of your son, Carl. He was a truly fine, outstanding soldier whose ability, spirit, and devotion to his country made him a valued and highly respected member of this division and the United States Army.
We in the 25th Division remain dedicated to uphold and advance those principles which your son so valiantly defended. We are determined to do all in our power to insure that his great sacrifice will not have been in vain.
The burden of grief you bear is difficult to lighten with words. Our thoughts are with you; and we pray that you will find comfort in your faith, your family, and your friends. We in the division are available to assist you in any way possible.
Sincerely,
Ellis W. Williamson
Major General, USA
Commanding
wrote to Carl's parents on April 1, 1969.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO SAN FRANCISCO 96225
1 APR 1969
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes
Route #1
Adel, Georgia 31620
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes:
The officers and men of the 25th Infantry Division join me in extending our deepest and sincerest sympathy for the loss of your son, Carl. He was a truly fine, outstanding soldier whose ability, spirit, and devotion to his country made him a valued and highly respected member of this division and the United States Army.
We in the 25th Division remain dedicated to uphold and advance those principles which your son so valiantly defended. We are determined to do all in our power to insure that his great sacrifice will not have been in vain.
The burden of grief you bear is difficult to lighten with words. Our thoughts are with you; and we pray that you will find comfort in your faith, your family, and your friends. We in the division are available to assist you in any way possible.
Sincerely,
Ellis W. Williamson
Major General, USA
Commanding
The April 3, 1969, edition of Cook High School's student newspaper, The Stinger, carried a picture of Carl in uniform, along with the following story which appeared under a two-column headline on the front page.
CHS Graduate Is
Killed In Vietnam
Pfc. Carl Hughes, a 1966 graduate of Cook High, was killed in action in Vietnam on Saturday, March 15.
The 20 year old soldier was in the mechanized infantry and was stationed 30 miles northwest of Saigon. According to the telegram that his family received from the Defense Department, he was killed by small arms fire when a hostile force was encountered on a combat operation. Pfc. Hughes had been in Vietnam since November.
While attending Cook High, Carl was an active athlete, participating in football, track, and wrestling. From the time of his graduation until he entered the service in May he was a farmer.
Members of the CHS faculty remember Pfc. Hughes as a hard working student. "He was always respectful and I could tell he had character," Said Mrs. Kate [Wilkes]. Coach Phillips
spoke of him as "a likable boy and a good student."
Pfc. Hughes is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr.; two brothers, five sisters; his maternal grandmother [sic, grandparents] and his paternal grandfather [sic, grandmother].
CHS Graduate Is
Killed In Vietnam
Pfc. Carl Hughes, a 1966 graduate of Cook High, was killed in action in Vietnam on Saturday, March 15.
The 20 year old soldier was in the mechanized infantry and was stationed 30 miles northwest of Saigon. According to the telegram that his family received from the Defense Department, he was killed by small arms fire when a hostile force was encountered on a combat operation. Pfc. Hughes had been in Vietnam since November.
While attending Cook High, Carl was an active athlete, participating in football, track, and wrestling. From the time of his graduation until he entered the service in May he was a farmer.
Members of the CHS faculty remember Pfc. Hughes as a hard working student. "He was always respectful and I could tell he had character," Said Mrs. Kate [Wilkes]. Coach Phillips
spoke of him as "a likable boy and a good student."
Pfc. Hughes is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr.; two brothers, five sisters; his maternal grandmother [sic, grandparents] and his paternal grandfather [sic, grandmother].
Captain Joseph F. Bane, PFC Hughes' commanding officer in Company C, wrote to the
Hughes family on April 17, 1969. COMPANY "C"
1ST BATTALION [MECH] 5TH INFANTRY
APO San Francisco 96225
17 APR 1969
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes
Route # 1
Adel, Georgia
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes,
I extend my most profound sympathy to you on the recent loss of your son, Private First Class Carl W. Hughes, a member of this unit, who died in the service of his country.
During the morning of March 15, 1969, at approximately 1:20 A.M., Carl was participating in a reconnaissance in force mission in hostile territory near Cu Chi, Province of Binh Duong, Republic of Vietnam. Carl received severe head injuries when he was struck by fragments from an enemy anti-tank rocket. It may afford you some consolation to know that death came quickly and Carl was spared any unnecessary pain.
News of your son's death comes as a distinct shock to all who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt in this unit. Carl's pleasant nature coupled with his ability to perform his duties in an outstanding manner made him an exemplary soldier.
It may provide some small measure of comfort to know that the officers and men of Company C share your bereavement. Memorial services will be held when the battalion returns from the
field.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph F. Bane
Captain, Infantry
Commanding
Hughes family on April 17, 1969. COMPANY "C"
1ST BATTALION [MECH] 5TH INFANTRY
APO San Francisco 96225
17 APR 1969
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes
Route # 1
Adel, Georgia
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes,
I extend my most profound sympathy to you on the recent loss of your son, Private First Class Carl W. Hughes, a member of this unit, who died in the service of his country.
During the morning of March 15, 1969, at approximately 1:20 A.M., Carl was participating in a reconnaissance in force mission in hostile territory near Cu Chi, Province of Binh Duong, Republic of Vietnam. Carl received severe head injuries when he was struck by fragments from an enemy anti-tank rocket. It may afford you some consolation to know that death came quickly and Carl was spared any unnecessary pain.
News of your son's death comes as a distinct shock to all who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt in this unit. Carl's pleasant nature coupled with his ability to perform his duties in an outstanding manner made him an exemplary soldier.
It may provide some small measure of comfort to know that the officers and men of Company C share your bereavement. Memorial services will be held when the battalion returns from the
field.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph F. Bane
Captain, Infantry
Commanding
A letter written on June 2, 1969, informed the Hughes family of posthumous awards for Carl. The letter also stated that a representative would be contacting the family to schedule formal presentation of the awards. The contents of the letter follow:
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20315
2 JUN 1969
AGPB-AC Hughes, Carl W.
US 53 705 762 (15 Mar 69)
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr.
Route 1
Adel, Georgia 31620
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes:
I have the honor to inform you that your son has been awarded posthumously the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.
Prior to death, Carl had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Badge with machine gun bar and the Marksman Badge with automatic rifle and rifle bars.
Arrangements are being made to have these awards presented to you in the near future by a representative of the Commanding General, Third United States Army.
The representative selected will communicate with you in the next few weeks to arrange for presentation. Any inquiry or correspondence concerning presentation should be addressed to the Commanding General, third United States Army, Fort McPherson, Georgia 30330.
My continued sympathy is with you.
Sincerely,
Kenneth G. Wickham
Major General, USA
The Adjutant General
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20315
2 JUN 1969
AGPB-AC Hughes, Carl W.
US 53 705 762 (15 Mar 69)
Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Hughes, Sr.
Route 1
Adel, Georgia 31620
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hughes:
I have the honor to inform you that your son has been awarded posthumously the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.
Prior to death, Carl had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Badge with machine gun bar and the Marksman Badge with automatic rifle and rifle bars.
Arrangements are being made to have these awards presented to you in the near future by a representative of the Commanding General, Third United States Army.
The representative selected will communicate with you in the next few weeks to arrange for presentation. Any inquiry or correspondence concerning presentation should be addressed to the Commanding General, third United States Army, Fort McPherson, Georgia 30330.
My continued sympathy is with you.
Sincerely,
Kenneth G. Wickham
Major General, USA
The Adjutant General
A story in the Wednesday, July 9, 1969 edition of The Adel News reported the posthumous awards ceremony held the preceding week. The story stated:
Parents Receive Medal
Awards Made Posthumously
To PFC Hughes For Service
Awards including two Bronze Star medals and the Purple Heart have been made posthumously to Pfc. Carl Hughes of Route 1, Adel, Georgia.
The awards were presented to Pfc. Hughes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hughes of Adel at ceremonies in the Hughes home on Wednesday, July 2nd.
Making the awards were Lt. Col. Charles P. Townsend and Captain Edward J. Deneberg of Tallahassee, Florida.
Pfc. Hughes was killed in Vietnam March 15, 1969 while on a patrol with his unit. The citation presented to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes stated that when Pfc. Hughes patrol came under heavy enemy fire, he acted with total disregard for his own safety, by covering the retreat of his patrol by laying down covering fire until he was fatally wounded by enemy rocket fire while
his fellow comrades made it to safety.
One Bronze Star presented was for heroism. Other medals presented included the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Badge with machine gun bar and the Marksmanship
Badge with automatic rifle and rifle bars.
Those attending the Ceremonies with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were his brother Ronnie, sisters Donna, Wanda, Bonnie, Jo and Christy. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Gray and
cousins Garry and Donett Brevig.
Parents Receive Medal
Awards Made Posthumously
To PFC Hughes For Service
Awards including two Bronze Star medals and the Purple Heart have been made posthumously to Pfc. Carl Hughes of Route 1, Adel, Georgia.
The awards were presented to Pfc. Hughes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hughes of Adel at ceremonies in the Hughes home on Wednesday, July 2nd.
Making the awards were Lt. Col. Charles P. Townsend and Captain Edward J. Deneberg of Tallahassee, Florida.
Pfc. Hughes was killed in Vietnam March 15, 1969 while on a patrol with his unit. The citation presented to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes stated that when Pfc. Hughes patrol came under heavy enemy fire, he acted with total disregard for his own safety, by covering the retreat of his patrol by laying down covering fire until he was fatally wounded by enemy rocket fire while
his fellow comrades made it to safety.
One Bronze Star presented was for heroism. Other medals presented included the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Badge with machine gun bar and the Marksmanship
Badge with automatic rifle and rifle bars.
Those attending the Ceremonies with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were his brother Ronnie, sisters Donna, Wanda, Bonnie, Jo and Christy. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Gray and
cousins Garry and Donett Brevig.
Carl was awarded his second Bronze Star ["V" Device used for Oak Leaf Cluster] for his actions on March 15, 1969, the day of his death. As cited on General Orders Number 6257, the
reason for the award were:
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: PrivateHughes distinguished himself by heroic actions on 15 March 1969, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry [Regiment, 25th Infantry Division] in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a reconnaissance in force mission, Company C came in contact with a large enemy force. Private Hughes was a member of the lead element and put out a devastating burst of
suppressive fire with his M-16. He then ran to his vehicle and secured hand grenades and anti-tank weapons. Private Hughes continued to remain at his forward position as the rest of he company pulled back to place effective fire on the enemy position, sacrificing his own safety to cover the withdraw of his comrades.
Finally, Private Hughes was fatally wounded by the intense hostile fire. Private Hughes' personal bravery, aggressiveness 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.
reason for the award were:
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: PrivateHughes distinguished himself by heroic actions on 15 March 1969, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry [Regiment, 25th Infantry Division] in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a reconnaissance in force mission, Company C came in contact with a large enemy force. Private Hughes was a member of the lead element and put out a devastating burst of
suppressive fire with his M-16. He then ran to his vehicle and secured hand grenades and anti-tank weapons. Private Hughes continued to remain at his forward position as the rest of he company pulled back to place effective fire on the enemy position, sacrificing his own safety to cover the withdraw of his comrades.
Finally, Private Hughes was fatally wounded by the intense hostile fire. Private Hughes' personal bravery, aggressiveness 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.
Carl's military marker reads:
Carl Wayne Hughes
Georgia
SP4 Co C 5 Inf 25 Inf Div
Vietnam BSM & OLC - PH
November 26, 1948 -- March 15, 1969
Georgia
SP4 Co C 5 Inf 25 Inf Div
Vietnam BSM & OLC - PH
November 26, 1948 -- March 15, 1969
