Thomas McHugh

 

First Sgt. Thomas F. McHugh of the infantry was killed in action on Mindanao, Philippine Islands on May 7, the War Department has notified his mother, Mrs. Lucy McHugh of Bronx, New York. He was 30 years old.  Sgt. McHugh had been in the service for nearly six years.

 

Besides his mother, he leaves two brothers, First Sgt. John J. McHugh of the Army signal Corps, stationed in Iceland, S/Sgt. Edward S. McHugh of the Army Air Forces, stationed in Montana.*

 

 

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*The obituary notice saved in the keepsake box

of things dedicated to Thomas.

 

 

Present day:

 

Thomas McHugh's letters are hard to read. They are yellowed from time and some of the ink has been smeared. After applying current photo editing, most of the words are legible. 

 

They are preserved with lamination in an effort to prevent deterioration. In the box was also negatives. Again, implementing photo editing software, some previously unseen pictures of Thomas are now on this website.

 

The box itself is filled with clippings from newspapers, Lucy McHugh tracking her sons' military service the only way she could-through mentions of wartime actions. She saved the obituary of her husband and her son together.

 

 

 

Grave:

 

Thomas McHugh's grave is located in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila Metro Manila National Capital Region, Philippines Plot: Plot H Row 1 Grave 103.

 

His niece has wanted to bring home his remains to the United States for many years. He would be buried next to John McHugh.

 

Legacy:

 

Thomas' legacy is still evolving. He has been fictionalized in For All The Evers with the hopes that our World War 2 veterans get an extra thank you and hug from their friends and family. Please consider sharing the tale of your veteran on this website.