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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '52
Kenneth Wendell Hughes NO. 16079 CLASS
OF 1946 Died August1, 1951, of wounds received
in action, in Korea, aged 26 years. |
The chronological listing of the events in a man's life does
not tell of the hopes and dreams he cherished. A brief biography
can only attempt to penetrate the secret recesses where he stored
his thoughts and feelings of love and happiness. His reflections
on God and truth as he formed his philosophy of life can only
be imagined. So how can one tell another man s life story as
he would like to if he were able? His wife, his family, and his
closest friends can only interpret his actions and imagine his
thoughts as they understand them.
As a roommate of Kenneth Hughes for three years, I feel qualified
to attempt this project, for, with exception of his wife and
his immediate family, no one knows more of a man's innermost
treasures than his roommate at West Point.
So, with full knowledge of my inherent weakness to relate
"Buster's" story adequately, I shall attempt to reveal
to those persons who did not know him the highlights of his life,
and to recall these highlights for those more fortunate ones
who did know him.
He entered the Army the day he was born, being the son of
a member of the Long Gray Line. And in typical "Army brat"
fashion his personality was enhanced through the yeas by knowing
many people and seeing many places. Ollie and Dollie, as his
parents were affectionately called by their friends, soon discovered
that this "personality" developed more than normally
expected from a robust youth. After his father had spent a weekend
on the Post at the personal request of the Commanding Officer
because of an escapade including some of the post "brats",
i.e. exploding fireworks in the Post Theater, he took direct
charge of his energetic offspring.
The result of this childhood incident proved to be an important
milestone in Buster's life. As a means of channeling this excessive
spirit his father proffered a challenge to young Buster. The
day that Buster defeated him on the Golf Course he could claim
a certain sum as his prize. So now began a pursuit and a love
Buster enjoyed all his life. The Golf Course claimed his attention
for numberless hours from that day forward.
"Gina," the girl he later married, entered Buster's
life early. While the Hughes were stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas,
Buster completed high school at Kemper Military School in Booneville,
Missouri; then he proceeded to the University of' Kansas at Lawrence
where he became a Delta Tau Delta and met Virginia Stephenson.
Gina seemed to make a sharp contrast to Buster, the athlete,
the man among men. She was reserved and proper with a decided
academic inclination, becoming a Phi Beta Kappa during her senior
year. From the moment Buster gave Gina his fraternity pin until
their marriage a few days after graduation there could be no
doubt of' their ultimate intentions.
Unquestionably, the three years after graduation were the
happiest in Ken's adult life. He had fulfilled his fondest dreams
by graduating from West Point and by marrying Virginia Stephenson.
As a cocky shavetail, he was prepared to follow in his father's
footsteps.
His first station was Fort Benning, Georgia, which he knew
well from earlier days. Along with many of his classmates and
their wives, Ken and Gina began their Army career in an atmosphere
that personified all the best traditions and customs of the Service.
Numerous friends and gay activities, centering around the club,
provided a constant source of enjoyment. And, I, as a bachelor
observer, envied the connubial bliss that was omnipresent in
the Hughes household. My envy was increased as I learned through
delicious experience of Gina's culinary accomplishments.
From Fort Benning, Ken and Gina were transferred to Fort Dix,
New Jersey, where they stayed for the next two years. Ken spent
this time professionally in numerous training assignments, culminating
in his selection as Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier General W. C. Smith.
As a side-line, he also represented his command in many golf
tournaments throughout the country, narrowly missing, on two
occasions, the All Service Golf Crown. More important, Gina presented
him with two heirs—first Ken Junior, and then daughter Linda.
Little Ken brought the added joy into Ken's life that completed
his happiness. Linda, he never saw. This period in Ken's history
proved to be his zenith. Since his father and mother were then
stationed at West Point, and since his brother was a cadet at
the time, all of his family was near him. Many cherished moments
were spent together as three generations enjoyed each other.
In a sense, this was the final chapter in Ken's life. From Fort
Dix he was ordered to Okinawa, where he stayed for over a year.
Then he embarked for Korea—where he consummated a life dedicated
to the ideals that he lived.
-- Harold Lacouture
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