Colonel William Douglas Hughes was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 19 April 1965. His first duty assignment was as Rifle Platoon Leader, Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, Fort Benning and Vietnam. | His subsequent duty assignments include:  Company Executive Officer, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Battalion S-1, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Battalion S-1, Vietnam; Company Commander, Vietnam; Battalion S-2, Hawaii; Company Commander, Hawaii; Battalion S-3, Hawaii; Division Plans Officer, Hawaii; Operations Augmentee, Jackson, Mississippi; Distribution Officer, Alexandria, Virginia; Battalion Commander, Fort Benning, Georgia; Regimental Tactical Officer, West Point, New York; Chief of Staff, U.S. CC, West Point, New York;Deputy J-1, U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan, Korea. | Military schools attended include: Airborne, Armor Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, Army War College. | His awards and decorations include: Silver Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star w/ V Device and Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ V Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal (8), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of gallantry w/ Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge.