Published: August 22, 2008 09:01 am            

A hero among us

World War II veteran Harold Hughes continues to serve his fellow man as a member of the Kentucky Corps of Chaplains

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By Edith Brewer for the Times-Tribune

Harold Hughes was born May 10, 1926 to Andrew and Hannah Hughes in Sidney, Ohio.

Harold grew up to respect God and family. He considered himself normal, but once you read his story; you may consider him anything but.

In 1943, when he was only 17 years old, Harold convinced his father to sign for him to join the Army, and Harold was assigned to the 16th Tank Battalion. The young soldier served in France and Germany during World War II, where he fought in many battles against the German Army.

Harold recalled a story about a young boy his tank crew had rescued.

“The child told me he had been a prisoner for six years and had not had a bath in five years,” said Harold as he wiped tears from his eyes.

A member of Harold’s tank crew jumped from the tank and gave this little boy an American flag. The team shared what C-Rations they had left with the prisoners, who were weak and hungry.

“I can still smell the stench,” Harold sadly recalled.

Another story Harold remembers vividly is an incident when he and his men were riding their tank through an area that was mostly open fields; however, one night they began rolling through a thick lot of bushes when their tank stalled.

The motor was still running, but the men could not coax it to move neither forward nor backward. Harold came up with an idea and ordered the tank commander to fire a couple of rounds into the bushes and ground ahead of them. They fired the tank and, like a miracle, the tank began to move forward. When they reached the heaviest thicket, they found a big gun and two dead German soldiers. They were hidden there to ambush the American tanks.

Rev. Hughes believes, “The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.”

You see, Harold Hughes is not through serving God and country. He lived in a veteran’s nursing home for 14 years before he decided to move back to Corbin.

Harold was a resident at the Hillcrest Nursing Home when he met minister and chaplain, Colonel Charles Cox. Chaplain Cox held weekly church services for the residents at the nursing home, and he and Rev. Hughes became good friends.

Chaplain Cox described the Rev. Hughes as his devoted assistant. Rev. Harold Hughes still ministers the gospel at every opportunity. He loves to talk about Jesus, and he is an active member at the New Zion Ministries in Corbin.

Rev. Harold Hughes decided he needed to do more to help others, so he joined the Kentucky Corps of Chaplains. On July 8, 2008, the Rev. Harold Hughes became a chaplain at the young age of 82 years. He was assigned as senior chaplain (honorary) and was promoted to the rank of colonel. The smile on his face said it all. He was very proud as he accepted his certificate from the Corps Of Chaplains, but at the same time greatly humbled.

Chaplain Hughes served seven and a half years in the U.S. Army. He married Elsie Moses and together they had two children.

Mrs. Hughes passed away 16 years later. Harold has one son deceased, a daughter Barbara Gill, who currently resides in Corbin, and two granddaughters, Tina Davis and Barbie Mitchell. He has three great-granddaughters, Brooke Mitchell, Rhagan Davis and Haley Davis.

Colonel Hughes retired from the Sidney Aluminum Foundry in Ohio after 32 and a half years of service.

He wrote a poem in 1959, “The Souls Choice,” which reads:

It is Election Day my friend and you are at the poll.

It is a very important election; it can save or ruin your soul.

Now let’s take a look at the ballot, only two candidates can run,

Satan the destroyer and deceiver and Jesus, God bless the Son.

Now you know the campaign story, you know what each can do,

But which one will be your master, it’s entirely up to you.

Now you can’t be on both sides, there is no middle ground.

It’s either Christ or Satan, or Heaven or Hell-ward bound.

Oh yes, Satan has promised you a lot if you’d vote for him,

But God said the wages of sin is death, so how could you possibly win?

To place your life in Satan’s hands, a chance you can’t afford,

But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus, Christ our Lord.

Election day will soon be over, have you counted the cost?

For if Satan were elected, then Christ would be rejected,

And you would forever be lost.

So make a wise choice my friend, cease your struggle and strife.

Place an X by the Savior and win eternal life.

Harold Hughes has great compassion for his fellow man. He has been a Christian for 52 years and a minister for 50 years. He always has a smile and a cheerful hello for everyone he runs into.

Edith Brewer, is the Brig. General H.Q. Recruiter for the Kentucky Corps of Chaplains. You can reach her at edith_brewer@yahoo.com or phone 606-528-0963.

        

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