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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Captain · U.S. Marine Corps

John Arthur Hughes

Captain John Arthur Hughes, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21, 1914

Captain John Arthur Hughes, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Hughes was 33 years old.

40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.

Hughes was born on November 2, 1880 in New York, New York. Hughes died on May 25, 1942 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 61. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.

Hughes is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Capt. Hughes was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, John Arthur Hughes received:

Navy CrossPurple Heart

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: New York City — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. November 2, 1880
    Born in New York, New York
  2. April 21, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 33.
  3. May 25, 1942
    Died in St. Petersburg, Florida
    Age 61.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John Arthur Hughes (November 2, 1880 – May 25, 1942) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz. Hughes joined the Marine Corps in March 1900 and was commissioned as an officer in December 1901. As a result of a gas attack during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, he was medically retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in July 1919. Hughes died on May 25, 1942, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

From the Wikipedia article “John Arthur Hughes”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 21, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Allen Buchanan Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21, 1914 →

More Veracruz 1914 recipients from New York

Charles Conway Hartigan Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JM John McCloy Chief Boatswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.