Col. John C. Hughes

Herrin- Col. John C. "J.C." Hughes, 79, of Red Feather Lakes, CO, formerly of Herrin, died at 5:00 A.M., Sunday, January 20, 2002 at Cherry Creek Nursing Center in Aurora, CO. Col. Hughes was born on July 30, 1922 in Herrin to Fox C. & Maude Betty (Brafford) Hughes. He married Ann L. Abernathy on November 13, 1943 in Herrin. She preceded him in death on June 20, 1994. Colonel Hughes, better known as "Corn Cob 6", entered the service in the infantry of the US Army on October 19, 1942. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on October 23, 1943. Col. Hughes received five purple hearts, two Distinguished Service Crosses and many decorations for heroic actions, and meritorious service against an armed enemy of the United States during military actions of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. These many acts of valor involved personal hazard and complete disregard of personal safety. One incident, which earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, occurred when Capt. Hughes was commanding Co. K, 35th Inf. Regiment against the enemy near Ung-Pong, Korea on Nov. 27, 1950. Capt. Hughes led a small force up a slope through mortar, grenade, and small arms fire. Although wounded, he refused medical aid, gained the crest of the ridge, and recaptured a portion of lost ground. Subsequently, when enemy machine gun fire raked his unit, he led a daring charge on the emplacement, which annihilated the hostile crew with grenade and rifle fire, and routed the remaining enemy from the ridge. Capt. Hughes remained on the ridge and exposed himself to heavy fire to direct the defense until daylight when the enemy attack was defiantly repulsed. "Corn Cob 6" was a fully qualified infantryman, parachutist, ski trooper, Army aviator, and tactics instructor. J.C. was of Presbyterian faith. Survivors: Son & dtr in law- Lon C. & Caryn Hughes- Ft. Collins, CO Son & dtr in law- Mark Allen & Stephanie Hughes- Aurora, CO Grandsons: Grant Fox Hughes Blake Allen Hughes Brett Crawford Hughes He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, Dennis Fox Hughes (killed in action in Vietnam in 1968), two brothers; Otis & Billy Hughes, three sisters: Wilma Ramsey, Lucille Hughes and Alma Driemeyer, and an adopted sister, Maudie Owens. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 25, 2002 at Johnson Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Captain Shawn E. Connors, chaplain from Ft. Benning, GA and Rev. Michael Neubert from Herrin First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. The US Army Honor Guard of Ft. Benning, GA will provide Military Honors and pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 6-9:00 PM, Thursday, January 24, 2002 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to a church or hospice program of the donor's choice or the Redfeather Lakes Veterans Memorial and will be accepted at the funeral home, P.O. Box 429 Herrin, IL 62948. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please log on to www.hughesfuneralhomes.com or thesouthern.com.