Sgt Robert Hughes served as the Dive NCO for First Force Recon Company during 1967 to 1968. Leading dive teams and maintaining the unit's scuba equipment were his primary duties. Called a "gentle giant" by Marines who served with him, Hughes was large and powerful, towering over many of his peers. The "gentle" side of his personality disappeared, however, in the face of innumerable threats as he donned his gear and submerged in the water.
On one dive mission, Sgt Hughes was tasked with locating an underwater tunnel. Searching through the murky dark, Hughes felt his way along a bank with one hand, Kabar ready in the other. He located what appeared to be the tunnel entrance, and suddenly an enemy diver shot out of the hole.
As the combatants locked onto each other, Hughes caught a glint of light from the blade of the enemy diver's dagger. Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed the wrist of the diver's knife-wielding hand, simultaneously stabbing with his own Kabar. The NVA diver mirrored Hughes, latching onto the Marine's knife hand while continuing to try to drive his own blade home.
Submerged and grappling with limited visibility, Hughes fought for an advantage. After what seemed like an eternity, he found it. Hughes wrapped his legs around his enemy and pulled him in close. Spitting out his regulator, Hughes lunged forward and bit into the diver's throat, ripping it out. The diver released his grip and Hughes finished the fight.
Sgt Hughes became the subject of several dive mission stories. He had at least 2 confirmed kills under water. Many other Marines braved the waters of Vietnam as well. To arm themselves, divers kept their Kabars close. Some Marines even carried privately purchased revolvers. Standard issue pistols were useless in submerged combat, but a revolver still operated. Stories surfaced of underwater gun battles, knife fights, and other horrors potentially awaiting Marines as they dove.
“There was no one I would rather have as security underwater than Sgt Hughes,” remembered one Marine who served with him.
Read more about Robert Hughes and combat diving on the blog. https://bzohistory.com/robert-hughes/
