Alton Prince Hughes

1924 - 2015

Alton Prince Hughes, 91, of Mount Jackson, VA, died at home May 6 from heart failure.

He was born February 4, 1924 in Lynn Grove Kentucky, the son of Maude Lockhart Hughes and Thomas Hughes. He was one of 11 children, five of whom served in the U.S. Armed Forces during time of national need.

Following WWII he worked in the printing industry from 1945 to 1990. He retired from The Gannett Company after 26 years service in the Nashville composing room of The Tennessean statewide morning daily newspaper. He was active in the International Typographical Union. Earlier in his career, he served as lead printer for The Murray Democrat newspaper in western Kentucky and The Goodlettsville Gazette near Nashville.

After retiring from Gannett he worked as a part-time courier for The Free Press in Woodstock, Virginia and The Valley Trader in Stephens City, Virginia and was a 22 year resident of the Shenandoah Valley.

A teenager when WWII began, Alton volunteered after he turned 18 and served with the 480th Motor Ambulance Company. Originally trained as medical corpsmen, his entire unit was converted to an ambulance company prior to landing in Europe. They landed on Utah beach in France after "D Day" and followed Patton's third Army across Europe. He fought in the pivotal Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne Belgium where he achieved his highest rank of Sergeant. He was awarded The Purple Heart in recognition of injuries sustained as a consequence of enemy aircraft fire. After the war, he was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 73 in Murray, Kentucky serving for three consecutive terms.

While living in Murray he participated in nearly 100 funerals of veterans. While visiting France in 2001 he, and other veterans, were recognized with gifts of commemorative medals honoring the 55th D Day Anniversary. Alton's oral history of wartime experience has been recorded at The WWII Museum in New Orleans.

All his life he mourned the loss of his older brother, Albert, in the fierce Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. At the time of his death he was a 65 year member of the American Legion belonging to Post 199 in Woodstock Virginia.

Alton was a devoted member of the Churches of Christ for 60 years. Raised as a farmer, he was active in Future Farmers of America and throughout his lifetime grew fruit trees and preserved many foods. Known as an avid gardener and plantsman, he shared his fascination with unusual plants and trees with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Charlotte Holland Hughes; their daughter, Dr. Chris Hughes Bridgeman (James) and grandchildren David Hughes Bridgeman and Rachel Elizabeth Bridgeman of Bethesda Maryland. Also he is survived by three siblings, his oldest sister, Odelle Hughes Ivy of Mayfield Kentucky, and two brothers, James Hughes of Katy Texas and Thomas Hughes of Pataskala Ohio and over 30 beloved nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers, Vera Brodeur, Clara Ann Adams, Nell Alexander, Charlie Hughes, Albert Hughes, Herbert Hughes, and George Martin Hughes.

In addition to his devotion to his siblings and their families, he was extremely fond of his wife's five younger brothers and their families.

Plans are being coordinated for his burial at Arlington National Cemetery by the Pumphrey Funeral Home of Bethesda Maryland.

Day and time of burial will be announced later pending scheduling by the cemetery as determined by a lengthy formal process.

The family requests memorial contributions made in lieu of flowers be directed to The American Legion Charities (legion.org); Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarrior project.org); or Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica.org) or the charity of your choice.

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