About James D. Hughes
James Donald Hughes (July 7, 1922 – January 12, 2024) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force (USAF) who was commander in chief, Pacific Air Forces, with headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He commanded the air component of the unified Pacific Command with an overall mission of planning, conducting, controlling and coordinating offensive and defensive air operations. == Biography == Hughes was born on July 7, 1922, in Balmville, New York. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, in 1946, and the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., in 1966. He also earned a master's degree in international affairs from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1966. After graduating from the academy, he completed pilot training and joined the 36th Troop Carrier Squadron at Pope Field, North Carolina. In April 1948, he went to Japan as a fighter pilot and, in April 1949, joined the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing as a fighter pilot and group adjutant. He flew 101 combat missions during the Korean War. 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 subsequently accompanied the group on successive moves to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia and RAF Wethersfield, England.
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