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.

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.

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.

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.

After successfully leading his units in three subsequent major operations in the Hue - Phu Bai area, Colonel Hughes moved his regiment into the heavily besieged Khe Sanh Combat Base.

In addition, through his capable leadership and professionalism, he maintained the tactical integrity of his units by skillful maneuvering and employment of his forces prior to the decisive phase of battle.