Biography
Sergeant Hugh D. Colgan was born June 19, 1912. His hometown was Corning, Iowa, but he graduated from Des Moines Catholic High School in 1929.
Hugh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Iowa State College June 12, 1939. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Fraternity. After graduation, Hugh worked in Washington D.C. after graduation.
The Army inducted him sometime in June 1941. Before leaving for foreign service August 1944, he spent his furlough with his mother, Elizabeth Colgan, and his six sisters: Mary, Mrs. Ed Mets, Mrs. D. J. Hogan, Mrs. Ben Ruef (Genevieve), Elizabeth, and Veronica. He also had a brother, Lieutenant Joseph Colgan.
Sergeant Colgan served in the Pacific Theater.
His mother received a letter dated December 18, 1944. The letter said that her son was being released from a hospital. He had suffered a hand injury on November 30, 1944.
She later received a telegram bearing stating her son had died of wounds on December 26, 1944, during fighting on Leyte, Philippines.