John Norman Hughes was born on February 15, 1920 to Emma Hughes who lived in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. John and his mother lived with his maternal grandparents, John had one sister.

John entered service in the Army on February 2, 1942. He received training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and then was shipped overseas in May, 1943. John served with the 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division.

Private First Class John Norman Hughes was killed in action on September 1, 1944 in France. He is buried at the Upper Octorara Cemetery in Parkesburg.