Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Iran)

    Action Date:

    November 4 – 20, 1979

    Sergeant James Hughes, United States Air Force, was held hostage in Iran from 4 November 1979 to 20 November 1979, while assigned as U.S. Air Force Administrative Manhager, United States Embassy, Teheran, Iran. He was among the sixty-five Americans taken prisoner and held in captivity by armed Iranian terrorists who were directly supported by the Government of Iran. During this period of confinement, he and other hostages were subjected to abominable conditions and constant harassment from their captors. The hostages were continuously used in several forms of propaganda such as being paraded in front of media cameras while blind folded and hands tied behind their backs. Throughout the duration of their captivity, the hostages were held in conditions comparable to those under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy forces during periods of armed conflict. Despite the harsh conditions, he continuously provided an example for all other Americans to emulate through his adherence to the Code of Conduct.