LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lieutenant General James D. Hughes upon
the occasion of receiving a 2009 Distinguished Graduate Award from the
United States Military Academy, West Point, on May 19, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of enduring commitment and honor who have dedicated their
lives to military service as members of the United States Armed
Services, and in doing so have faithfully served the people of this
great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lieutenant General James D. Hughes upon the occasion of receiving a 2009
Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy,
West Point, on May 19, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Distinguished Graduate award is presented to individuals
who are graduates of the United States Military Academy and whose char-
acter, distinguished service, and stature draw a wholesome comparison to
the qualities that West Point strives for, in keeping with its motto:
"Duty, Honor, Country"; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes was born in 1922, in Balmville, New
York; from the age of six, he dreamed of attending West Point and worked
tirelessly to gain entrance; and
WHEREAS, Realizing his dream, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes graduated from
the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, in 1946; upon
graduation, he completed pilot training and joined the 36th Troop Carri-
er Squadron at Pope Field, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, In April 1948, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes went to Japan as a
fighter pilot and in April 1949, he joined the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
as a fighter pilot and group adjutant; he flew 101 combat missions
during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes returned to the United States in
March 1951, and served as group adjutant and fighter pilot with the 20th
Fighter-Bomber Group at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; he subse-
quently accompanied the group on successive moves to Langley Air Force
Base, Virginia, and Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England; he
returned from England in February 1955, and was assigned to the Direc-
torate of Military Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington,
D.C.; and
WHEREAS, In July 1957, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes was appointed military
aide to Vice President Nixon; he moved to George Air Force Base, Cali-
fornia, in February 1961, where he served as squadron operations officer
with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes moved to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in
the Republic of Vietnam where he served from August 1962 to September
1963, as assistant operations officer and chief of the Special Oper-
ations Branch of Headquarters 2nd Air Division; he then returned to the
United States for an assignment in the Office of the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes' education continued after his time
at the Academy, graduating from the National War College at Fort Lesley
J. McNair in Washington, D.C. in 1966; he also earned a Master's degree
in International Affairs from George Washington University, that same
year; and
WHEREAS, After graduation from the National War College, Lt. Gen.
James D. Hughes was named vice commander of the 4525th Fighter Weapons
Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; in July 1968, he was assigned as

director of safety at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Lindsey
Air Station, Germany; and
WHEREAS, In November 1968, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes returned to the
United States for appointment as armed forces aide to the President,
effective Jan. 29, 1969; he served in this capacity until February 1972,
when he was named vice commander of 12th Air Force at Bergstrom Air
Force Base, Texas; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes transferred to Udorn Royal Thai Air
Force Base, Thailand, in September 1972, as deputy commander, 7th/13th
Air Force and became commander when that unit was reorganized as Detach-
ment 7, 13th Air Force, in March 1973; he moved to Nakhon Phanom Royal
Thai Air Force Base in April 1973, and assumed duties as deputy comman-
der, 7th Air Force, and chief of staff, U.S. Support Activities Group;
and
WHEREAS, In December 1973, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes assumed command of
9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; he remained in
this position until July 1975, when he moved to Bergstrom Air Force
Base, Texas, as commander of 12th Air Force; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his retirement in 1982, Lt. Gen. James D.
Hughes was commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces, which comprised
operational and support personnel totaling over 34,000 individuals; the
area he commanded stretched from the west coast of the Americas to the
east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, more than
half the earth's surface; he was promoted to his final rank of Lieuten-
ant General on May 31, 1974; and
WHEREAS, A command pilot, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes' military deco-
rations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with three
oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster,
Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force
Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Distin-
guished Unit Citation emblem with two oak leaf clusters, and Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award ribbon; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes has received Republic
of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Order of National
Security Merit (Gugseon Medal), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with
palm and the Most Notable Order of the Crown of Thailand (First Class-
Knight Grand Cross); and
WHEREAS, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes has also been presented with pilot
wings from the Republic of Korea Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, Republic
of the Philippines Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force; finally, he
is the recipient of the highest honor bestowed upon a commander by his
noncommissioned officer corps - Order of the Sword; and
WHEREAS, Upon retiring, Lt. Gen. James D. Hughes returned to Newburgh,
New York; during the 20 years that he lived in Orange County following
retirement, he became involved in the founding of the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor; today, he continues to play a role in the organiza-
tion as a member of the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Bette, their four
children, Donna, Michael, Karen, and Robert, as well as their eight
grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers who devoted themselves to military
service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the

care and welfare of the citizens of this great Empire State and Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lieutenant General James D. Hughes upon the occasion of receiving
a 2009 Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military
Academy, West Point, on May 19, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lieutenant General James D. Hughes.