Tools

Hostage Honored with Prisoner of War Medal

by KREX News Room
by Kristina Kuestner

Story Created: Aug 22, 2012 at 8:49 PM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 23, 2012 at 7:32 AM MDT

DENVER- A retired airman was honored with a Prisoner of War Medal at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Wednesday.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. James O’Neal Hughes was one of 65 Americans taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran in 1979.

Hughes was held for 16 days and released with a group of African American men and women.

Hughes says he doesn't like to talk about the experience. He was emotional Wednesday, but the military says his story is important.

"We must remember. It is so appropriate to be here today, to recognize O'Neal officially for a long overdue medal that he certainly didn't want to earn, but he absolutely earned," explained Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards, the Adjutant General of Colorado.

According to the Colorado National Guard, Hughes is also a Vietnam veteran and served in multiple embassies throughout his Air Force career. He now works as a staff assistant at Fort Logan.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather