James Beaty McHugh
1923
Chemical Engineering
Cadet Senior Private; Member of Band, Glee Club, and Orchestra; Captain of the Band his senior year; Sophomore, Junior and Senior Dancing Clubs; Science Club; Pickens County Club.
Clemson College, South Carolina
Married to Celena Russell Smith of Pendleton, SC. Had one daughter: Celena Joyce McHugh (Joy).
Marine Corps, Second Lieutenant
Second Marine Brigade, Managua, Nicaragua
In earlier combat action against forces of the revolutionary, Santiago, Lt. McHugh was cited for bravery.
Jul 7, 1901
Apr 13, 1929
While engaged in making an aerial map of the proposed Nicaraguan Canal route near San Carlos, his plane crashed and he and his two companions were instantly killed. (Also killed in the crash_ Byron Piner and Otto Miller - Aircraft OL8, S/N 7850)
Arlington National Cemetery, not far from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
SE
Personal Remembrances
From a “Tribute to Beaty” by Ben Robertson: “As a teenager, to quote Capt. Lee, he was the fastest thing on wheels at Clemson. Beaty came as near making a Ford fly as any person in creation.” “He graduated in Chemical Engineering and for four months worked at that, but his soul was born to fly and in January, 1924, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps. He rose rapidly in this field and was soon a front pilot at many displays. Lt.. McHugh is one of the best stunt flyers in the Corps—While he was always known for his daring, yet we had equal praise for his ability. He has several cups for speed records.”
Additional Information
The award citation reads: “On 18 March 1928, an air patrol discovered hostile outlaws in the vicinity of Murra, Nicaragua. On 19 March 1928, the air patrols returned to the vicinity where they succeeded in enveloping a hostile force estimated at about one hundred and fifty men. With great courage, skill and determination the personnel of the air patrols attached the enemy in the face of heavy rifle and machine gun fire. Although one observer was wounded and with twelve hits made on the planes by hostile fire, the personnel of the patrols returned repeatedly and carried on a series of attacks from noon until sundown. The attacks were made under most difficult and hazardous conditions and resulted most successfully. ” Lt. McHugh was nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal of Honor.
Lt. McHugh completed the Navy’s Scholl of Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, in December 1926. He once flew escort for Charles Lindbergh down the Potomac. Lindbergh later visited Lt. McHugh and his family in Nicaragua. Lt. McHugh is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, not far from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.
Copied from his memorial on Find-a-Grave: 2nd Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps,killed in the line of duty in Nicaraguan. His hometown was Clemson, South Carolina, and he graduated in 1923 from Clemson University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. For four months he worked as such, but his soul was born to fly and in January, 1924, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps. Lt. McHugh completed the Navy’s School of Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, in December 1926. He once flew escort for Charles Lindbergh down the Potomac. Lindbergh later visited Lt. McHugh and his family in Nicaragua. Lt. McHugh rose rapidly as a pilot and was soon a front pilot at many displays. He was one of the best stunt flyers in the Corps—known for his daring and his ability. He had several cups for speed records. He was assigned to the Second Marine Brigade, posted for duty in Managua, Nicaragua.
While engaged in making an aerial map of the proposed Nicaraguan Canal route near San Carlos, his plane crashed and he and his two companions were instantly killed. (Also killed in the crash were Byron Piner and Otto Miller).
In earlier combat action against forces of the Nicaraguan revolutionary, Santiago, Lt. McHugh was cited for bravery. The award citation reads: “On 18 March 1928, an air patrol discovered hostile outlaws in the vicinity of Murra, Nicaragua. On 19 March 1928, the air patrols returned to the vicinity where they succeeded in enveloping a hostile force estimated at about one hundred and fifty men. With great courage, skill and determination the personnel of the air patrols attached the enemy in the face of heavy rifle and machine gun fire. Although one observer was wounded and with twelve hits made on the planes by hostile fire, the personnel of the patrols returned repeatedly and carried on a series of attacks from noon until sundown. The attacks were made under most difficult and hazardous conditions and resulted most successfully.” Lt. McHugh was nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal of Honor.
He was married to Celena Russell Smith of Pendleton, South Carolina; they had one daughter: Celena Joyce McHugh (Joy).
Related Images Click to Enlarge
Arlington National Cemetery
The State 04/15/1929 Pages 1&2
