During World War II, Cpl. Hughes was a member of Carlson's Raiders, an elite Marine Detachment (2nd Marine Battalion Raiders) which saw action in the Pacific Theater and who raided Makin Island in August 1944. Landings at the Makin were made from the Submarines Nautilus and the Argonaut. Sadly, nine men were unintentionally left on the island when the Raiders returned to the subs. The nine were later captured. 