Udell Leo Hughes was born on May 19, 1926 to Fay Edward and Grace Pearl Marie (Souligny) Hughes in Crawford, Nebraska. He died at home in Scottsbluff in the early hours of July 31, 2024. He was 98 years old, one of the last of the greatest generation. He witnessed nearly a century of remarkable events and change in the United States. His was a life well lived.
The Hughes family lived in several rural panhandle towns during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Udell remembered a drive with his father. They could see what appeared to be a dust cloud approaching. As it neared they realized it grasshoppers. Udell was four years old when his family moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska where he attended elementary school. His mother insisted on violin lessons.
Udell’s uncle Wallace Souligny farmed near Minatare and when he was unable to show a profit, sold his equipment. The two families loaded up their belongings and began the epic journey to California. Christmas arrived with both families safe and sound on George Souligny’s farm in the Bay Area of northern California.
The Hughes family moved to a small community near Pittsburg, CA where Udell attended High School.
On December 23, 1939 his father was struck by a car and died. It was a profound loss to the family and Udell’s education suffered as a result. Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 7, 1941. Udell entered a program as an apprentice electrician at Mare Island, a naval shipyard where ships and submarines were repaired before returning to the war.
As Udell’s 18th birthday approached he signed enlistment papers and was sworn into the US Naval Reserve. He attended Boot Camp at the San Diego Naval Training then attended electrical school in St. Louis, MO. Udell was assigned to go to the Pacific where the war was in full swing. His troop ship arrived at Oahu Island, Hawaii and docked in Pearl Harbor where the devastation from the attack was still evident. At Ulithi Atoll he was transported to the USS Vincennes, CL64, a light cruiser. It was on this ship that he would spend the rest of World War II.
The Vincennes first war action was the Marianas Campaign as part of task force 58. Udell was assigned to the ventilation-lighting shop which had responsibility for systems throughout the interior of the ship including identification lights, running lights and searchlights. As he moved up in rate he was often stationed on the search light turrets which he found very interesting.
Udell was a witness to the beauty of the ocean and its inhabitants during war time. He recounted schools of flying fish. One on night with a large full moon he was on look-out duty with shipmates when they noticed two phosphorescent trails running parallel speeding toward the ship. They assumed they were torpedoes from a submarine. As they were about to report them, one broke the trail surface, then the other did the same. They were not torpedoes but dolphins.
In January of 1945 the the Vincennes was screening for carriers in Task Force 58, protecting them from strikes by Kamikazes while the carrier aircraft were dog-fighting and downing Japanese Zeroes that were bombing or diving at US ships. Because Udell was stationed below deck, radio communications relayed conditions. The Vincennes engaged and fired at a Kamikaze that dived into the main deck of the carrier Ticonderoga.
The Vincennes was hit by a radio controlled target towing plane when it crashed into the ship, setting the main deck afire. Four men men were able to push the burning wreckage off the deck into the ocean. One of those men died from injuries and was buried at sea. Task Force 58 conducted air strikes on Tokyo, the southern Bonins and Iwo Jima.
The Vincennes traveled with Task Group 58 to the area east of Kyusu, Japan where carrier aircraft conducted strikes. The Vincennes fended off low flying enemy aircraft, downing at least two planes. Kingfisher aircraft from the Vincennes spotted a mine near Okinawa and rescued downed American pilots during heavy fire.
On 6 April an enemy Kamikaze shot down by the Vincennes crashed 50 feet of the stern. Another was shot down a short time later, crashing 200 yards off the bow. A photograph of the first hit was captured by a neighboring ship. During the remaining weeks of April there were numerous strikes on Okinawa and Kyushu, attacks from the enemy were frequent and persistent. The Vincennes downed a number of planes.
On 17 May 1945 the Vincennes anchored at Okinawa to assist the Sixth Marine Division in their attempt to drive the Japanese off the island. Both Kingfishers were dispatched to spot for her tour of bombardment duty. This continued day and night for the next 27 days. A destroyer was hit by Japanese artillery. It caught fire and exploded. Several boats from the Vincennes and the Kingfishers rescued survivors. The Kingfishers identified and gave positions of caves and Japanese installations. Udell reached his 19th birthday during this period. On 16 June 1945 the Vincennes fired her final salvo.
Udell was on furlough at home in California when the war was officially over, but his service continued on the Vincennes with Operation Magic Carpet. The ship was tasked with picking up military personnel to bring them home. They visited islands in the Pacific, and toured naval bases at Guadalcanal and other locations. They traveled to New Zealand then Pago Pago, Tutuila Island, American Samoa, Grand Quay and Fiji. Finally, the Vincennes stopped for the last time at Pearl Harbor, took aboard naval personnel and began the journey back to San Fransisco to offload passengers. Udell left the USS Vincennes in June of 1946. Udell’s tour of duty was over.
Udell spent the next few years exploring Northern California. He learned to fly-fish, a passion that he would carry with him to Gillette, Wyoming where two of his brothers lived. This is where he would meet Thelma Smith who wasn’t terribly interested in him. He returned to California several times. He traveled across the country and back again, stopping in Nebraska to learn and work at the Lincoln Hotel Restaurant. He arrived in Gillette Wyoming just in time for the blizzard of 1949.
Udell operated and worked at several restaurants in California and eventually returned to Gillette, Wyoming to operate a restaurant. He once again met the love of his life who owned and operated a beauty salon. This time Thelma was interested. They married and soon welcomed a daughter, Becky.
Udell accepted a chef position in South Dakota at the Lead Country Club.
Udell decided it was time to go to college and the family moved to Chadron, Nebraska where he would work and attend classes. Another daughter, Laurel was born. Upon graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Palisade, Nebraska. When the superintendent left midyear he became acting principle and was offered the Superintendent position which would require him to return to Chadron State College during summers to complete his masters degree. A son was born, Udell Hughes Jr.
The family of five lived in Palisade when President Kennedy was shot. As NASA began preparations to send men to the moon, Udell accepted a school superintendent position in Milford, Nebraska where he became interested in data processing which involved using computers and punch cards to store information. The computer age was just beginning.
In 1967 the family left Milford and moved to Scottsbluff where Udell would launch the newly created Educational Service Unit there. ESU’s were to provide support for school districts across the state. Udell became the first Administrator for the Educational Service Unit No. 18, which would become ESU #13 later on. Many support agencies were created in the 20 years that Udell was at the helm. In 1969 new legislation was enacted that required all school districts in Nebraska to provide education for all children the state between the ages of 5 and 21 years regardless of their mental or physical disabilities. The ESU under Udell’s direction opened a school for children with disabilities and purchased a catholic facility that housed the new school. In accordance with later legislation he formed what is now known as Region 9 Office of Human Development.
Meanwhile, Udell enrolled in the University of Wyoming Doctorate Program. It was an opportunity to get involved in computer programming as part of his doctoral degree. Very few schools had access to computers to manage student information and fiscal accounting required to provide services. Once again, it was a team effort. Udell went back to summer school, living in an RV. He was able to flyfish around Laramie. Thelma managed the family and household in Scottsbluff.
In 1977 Udell received his diploma from the University of Wyoming with a Doctor’s Degree. Ten years later at the age of 60, Udell retired from ESU#13. ESU #13 continues to grow and provides necessary educational services to schools and students in 11 counties of the Nebraska Panhandle.
In the years that followed Udell and Thelma embarked on new adventures and careers. They purchased the local KOA Campground. Thelma became deeply interested in antiques and of course Udell and the rest of the family shared in the passion. They traveled during off-months when the campground was closed. Udell continued to design and write computer programs for small school districts in Nebraska. Thelma became an expert antique buyer, seller and appraiser, selling at antique shows across several states.
Life was good. As the family multiplied through marriages, grandchildren arrived. The KOA was eventually sold. Udell and Thelma continued to travel, buying and selling antiques from California to Montana, Colorado, Kansas, the Dakotas and their beloved Wyoming. Udell was able to flyfish and golf along the way.
Udell and Thelma traveled often to Wyoming. They discovered a delightful small town called Story. Thelma fell in love with a small cabin which they purchased on the spot much to the surprise of their children. They spent two years in the Big Horn mountains living a dream before returning to Scottsbluff. They continued their travels and celebrated more anniversaries.
Udell restored antique bamboo flyrods and tied thousands of flies. He did woodcarving and leather projects. He did research for Becky’s documentary films and helped plant orchards on her farm. He became the Chef at Laurel’s Café Paris in Scottsbluff. His bread pudding, French onion soup and quiche are remembered fondly. He wrote a series of memoirs that chronicled his life and his military service. He wrote poetry to his wife.
Udell was the proud chieftain of an ever growing clan of Udells as his son, grandsons and great grandsons were honored with his name. There are now 11 living Udells and the mantle is passed to his son Udell Leo Hughes Jr.
Udell was preceeded in death by his parents Grace Pearl Marie and Fay Edward Hughes, brothers Woodrow, Elby and Gerald; Granddaughter-in-law Renee Mottaz; Son-in-law Kelly Morava. He is survived by his wife Thelma and children Becky Hughes McMillen (William,) Laurel Hughes Morava and Udell Leo Hughes Jr (Kelly); grandchildren Justin McMillen, Adam McMillen, Shaun Udell Hughes, Halie Smith, Cody Smith, Nathan Udell Hughes and Arielle Hughes. He leaves behind 14 great children and one yet unborn.
Military honors and a service will take place at East Lawn Cemetary at Minatare, Nebraska on August 30, 2024 at 3:00pm. A Party for Udell will take place at the Elks Lodge in Scottsbluff where Udell was a lifetime member. Udell’s friends are all invited to celebrate his life. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com.