Headstone of Larry Hughes
U.S. Air Force · United States United States

Larry Hughes

1971

Larry Dean Hughes served the U.S. Air Force.

How He Died
Manner Accident
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Airman First Class Larry Hughes, Staff Sergeant Terry Wright, Sergeant Bernard Blake, Sergeant David Cloe, Sergeant Glen Wilson, and Airman Johnny Brock were killed when their UH-1F Iroquois helicopter crashed approximately 14 miles north of Wall, South Dakota.

All six Security Policemen were en route to begin the routine changeover of security personnel for guard duty at a local Missle Silo site. While en route, the pilot radioed dispatch at Ellsworth AFB that he was experiencing mechanical problems with the aircraft and would be making an emergency landing in a pasture to determine what was wrong. The pilot lost control of the aircraft while making the emergency landing and crashed on its right side, trapping the crew inside the aircraft, which became engulfed in flames. The pilot who was the lone survivor of the accident was able to escape through the pilot bubble and was rescued by another helicopter that was en route to the same missile silo to changeover security personnel.

All six Security Policemen were assigned to the 821st Military Police Squadron at Ellsworth AFB.

Airman First Class Hughes was a United States Air Force veteran for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
Photograph of Larry Hughes
Photograph of Larry Hughes
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
Also Served
United States Air Force Security Forces
Airman First Class
In Our Keeping
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Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated August 2, 2026

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