David Hughes Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: WUA-04-wua00465

Staff Only

The David Hughes Papers consists of photocopies of a personal log maintained by Hughes during his flight training at naval air stations in Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, and in San Diego, California, from April 18, 1943, to April 10, 1944. Also included are a photocopy of an additional short story written by Hughes, photographs, and copies of Washington University Magazine featuring articles concerning Hughes personal log.

Dates

Creation: 1943-1995

Creator

Hughes, David Ferrar, 1920-approximately 1945 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies. Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University. If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Extent

0.50 linear feet

1 boxes

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

David Ferrar Hughes was of son of Arthur, professor of physics and department chair from 1923 to 1952, and Jessie Hughes. Hughes served as literary editor of Eliot and graduated from Washington University in 1942, majoring in physics and math. After joining the Navy during World War II, Hughes kept what he called a personal log during his flight training at naval air stations in Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, and in San Diego, California, from April 18, 1943, to April 10, 1944. He ended his log on April 10, 1944, as he headed out to serve in the Dive Bombing Squadron Twenty on the Essex and the Lexington, and sent it to his close friend, Jack Huntein. On January 16, 1945, on a long-range search mission accompanied by two Navy fighters, the flight was attacked by six Zeros off the coast of Hainan Island. Hughes and one of the fighters were shot down; the other fighter badly damaged. One fighter pilot was picked up by a submarine. Hughes was reported Missing In Action – a year later Presumed Dead. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross “for extraordinary heroism…in action again units of the Japanese Fleet during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, October 25, 1944.”