Dwight Evan Hughes died 2 June, 1980 in Chicago. He is buried in Elm Lawn cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Lt. D.E. Hughes was assigned to the 986th TEFTS (Twin Engine Flight Training Squadron), 310th TEFTG (Twin Engine Flight Training Group). He was based at Douglas Army Air Field, at Douglas Arizona. The south end of the main runway ended at the border with Mexico.

He was an instructor pilot for twin engine aircraft. Upon graduation the cadet-pilots were usually assigned to four engine bomber training. The others went to other multi-engine groups.

As instructor pilot his primary instruction to cadets was in the Cessna UC-78 also known as the AT-17 Bobcat. The aircraft was fabric covered and soon nicknamed the Bamboo Bomber.

Lt. Hughes was also qualified in the AT-6 Texan, Beech AT-11 Kansan, and very likely the B-25D and B-25G.

In mid-1944 two squadrons of Chinese pilots were assigned to Douglas AAF for training in the B-25. Their training took a bit longer than other units. Their training was discontinued in mid-1945 as the end of the war was in sight. While it was stated the Chinese pilots were being trained to enter combat with the Japanese, it was very likely that they were being trained to support the Nationalist Chinese against the communists in the on-going civil war.

Lt. D.E. Hughes was released from military service in 1945.

Dwight E Hughes