Interviewed By:

Kieran Norton and Tyler Hutchinson

"At the time I didn't realize how historic that particular time frame was."

~ Joseph Hughes (15:36)

Joseph Hughes' Story:

Captain Joseph L. Hughes Jr. began his unique and interesting life in Boston, Massachusetts. Growing up, he had a keen interest in athletics but lived a fairly normal childhood. For high school Mr. Hughes attended Boston College High School that he later accredited for much of his academic interest and success. After high school Mr. Hughes went to Boston College and enrolled in the ROTC program. This program allowed Joe to graduate from Boston College as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Upon entrance into the military Mr. Hughes was trained in Ft. Knox, Kentucky for an Armor Basic Course. He was also trained in Fort Benning, Georgia where he learned to jump out of airplanes. Despite all this education, he stated that most of what he learned came from actual experience in the field.

Mr. Hughes was soon commissioned in Berlin as a Platoon Leader of five M48A1 Tanks. His company consisted of 27 tanks that were a mere "token force". This was because every one of their tanks was outnumbered more than twenty to one by the Soviet Union and East Germans. This era was the Cold War, when tensions were high between the United States and the Soviet Union. Mr. Hughes was in the hot bed of this conflict. He left Berlin in 1961 to travel to another hot spot of the Cold War in Washington D.C.

In Washington Mr. Hughes joined the Counterintelligence Corps (CIC). He was then detailed to the 902d Intelligence Corps Group as the Special Projects Officer. In being part of the CIC he basically worked as a spy disguised as a civilian. A notable event in his work with the CIC was their preparedness to "jump" (Parachute) into Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis if necessary. Concluding Mr. Hughes' military career, he worked as the company commander of the 1st Armored Division in Ft. Hood, Texas where he trained and prepared combat ready units.

After Mr. Hughes' diverse and fascinating career in the Army, he moved to Boston and worked for Merrill Lynch. He eventually moved to Cape Cod and started a family in Brewster where he still lives today with his wife.

Joseph Hughes' service to the United States in such a hostile time resulted in a unique career that taught him a great deal. This devoted service also benefited the unpredictable future of our country.