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The chronological listing of the events in a man’s life does not tell of the hopes and dreams he cherished. A brief biography can only attempt to penetrate the secret recesses where he stored his thoughts and feelings of love and happiness. His reflections on God and truth as he formed his philosophy of life can only be imagined. So how can one tell another man’s life story as he would like to if he were able? His wife, his family, and his closest friends can only interpret his actions and imagine his thoughts as they understand them.</p>
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As a roommate of <em>Kenneth Hughes</em> for three years I feel qualified to attempt this project, for, with exception of his wife and his immediate family, no one knows more of a man’s innermost treasures than his roommate at West Point.</p>
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So, with full knowledge of my inherent weakness to relate “Buster’s” story adequately, I shall attempt to reveal to those persons who did not know him the highlights of his life, and to recall these highlights for those more fortunate ones who did know him.</p>
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He entered the Army the day he was born, being the son of a member of the Long Gray Line. And in typical “Army brat” fashion his personality was enhanced through the years by knowing many people and seeing many places. Ollie and Dollie, as his parents were affectionately called by their friends, soon discovered that this “personality” developed more than normally expected from a robust youth. After his father had spent a weekend on the Post at the personal request of the Commanding Officer because of an escapade including some of the post “brats”, i.e. exploding fireworks in the Post Theater, he took direct charge of his energetic offspring.</p>
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The result of this childhood incident proved to be an important milestone in Buster’s life. As a means of channeling this excessive spirit his father proffered a challenge to young Buster. The day that Buster defeated him on the Golf Course he could claim a certain sum as his prize. So now began a pursuit and a love Buster enjoyed all his life. The Golf Course claimed his attention for numberless hours from that day forward.</p>
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“Gina,” the girl he later married, entered Buster’s life early. While the Hughes were stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, Buster completed high school at Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri; then he proceeded to the University of Kansas at Lawrence where he became a Delta Tau Delta and met Virginia Stephenson. Gina seemed to make a sharp contrast to Buster, the athlete, the man among men. She was reserved and proper with a decided academic inclination, becoming a Phi Beta Kappa during her senior year. From the moment Buster gave Gina his fraternity pin until their marriage a few days after graduation there could be no doubt of their ultimate intentions.</p>
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Unquestionably, the three years after graduation were the happiest in Ken’s adult life. He had fulfilled his fondest dreams by graduating from West Point and by marrying Virginia Stephenson. As a cocky shavetail, he was prepared to follow in his father’s footsteps.</p>
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His first station was Fort Benning, Georgia, which he knew well from earlier days. Along with many of his classmates and their wives, Ken and Gina began their Army career in an atmosphere that personified all the best traditions and customs of the Service. Numerous friends and gay activities, centering around the club, provided a constant source of enjoyment. And, I, as a bachelor observed, envied the connubial bliss that was omnipresent in the Hughes household. My envy was increased as I learned through delicious experience of Gina’s culinary accomplishments.</p>
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From Fort Benning Ken and Gina were transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where they stayed for the next two years. Ken spent this time professionally in numerous training assignments, culminating in his selection as Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier General W. C. Smith. As a sideline he also represented his command in many golf tournaments throughout the country, narrowly missing, on two occasions, the All Service Golf Crown. More important, Gina presented him with two heirs—first Ken Junior, and then daughter Linda. Little Ken brought the added joy into Ken’s life that completed his happiness. Linda, he never saw. This period in Ken’s history proved to be his zenith. Since his father and mother were then stationed at West Point, and since his brother was a cadet at the time, all of his family were near him. Many cherished moments were spent together as three generations enjoyed each other.</p>
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In a sense this was the final chapter In Ken’s life. From Fort Dix he was ordered to Okinawa, where he stayed for over a year. Then he embarked for Korea—where he consummated a life dedicated to the ideals that he lived.</p>
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<em>—Harold Lacoutnre</em></p>
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