Fall Cemetery Tour Honors World War I Pilot

This year the Fayette County (Ohio) Historical Society’s annual cemetery tour will honor First Lieutenant Paul Hughey. The annual cemetery tour recognizes local persons of interest buried in the Washington Court House Cemetery. The story of local World War I pilot 1st Lt. Paul Hughey, and his heroic life and tragic death over France, will be featured.

Born in 1894, Paul Hughey grew up in Washington Court House. He enlisted in the Signal Corps and later accepted a commission in its aviation branch, where he served in the 91st Aero Squadron.

Flying in World War I was incredibly dangerous and even learning to fly was a risky proposition. While more American pilots were killed in training accidents than in combat, flying in battle was also hazardous. 1st Lt. Hughey flew a two-seater observation plane in France. In a letter to his mother, which appeared in the Ohio State Register September 27, 1918, he recounted a recent aerial attack between four American planes and eleven German planes. Surviving that encounter he prophetically stated: “… (I) Don’t think I could be so lucky again …”. Tragically, by the time his letter appeared in the local newspaper, Lt. Hughey had lost his life in aerial combat over France. The morning of September 14, 1918, 1st Lt. Paul Hughey and his observer Captain Kenyon Roper left on a visual mission never to be heard from again.  An excellent account of 1st Lt. Hughey’s final flight was written by Daniel C. Williamson, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S.A. (Retired).

World War I ended with 1st Lt. Paul Hughey classified as MIA. In 1919 the grave of 1st Lt. Paul Hughey was identified. His body was returned to Washington Court House at his family’s request in 1921. Today 1st Lt. Hughey is interred in the Washington Court House Cemetery. He was the recipient of the French Croix de Guerre, awarded for valor, and is the namesake of American Legion Post #25 in Washington Court House.

1st Lt. Hughey’s story of service and sacrifice also helps shine a light on still missing World War I airmen. Because of the continued work by Daniel C. Williamson, who serves as the Director of Research and Field Investigation – Air at Doughboy MIA, and others, the mission to identify and “bring home” the remaining thirty-two missing U.S. World War I airmen continues. The thirty-two American MIA does not include the approximately ten additional American personnel that flew for other Allied nations.

The Fayette County Historical Society’s annual cemetery program will help draw attention to World War I MIAs through 1st Lt. Paul Hughey’s inspirational story.

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