Everett Hughes ( general ) Everett Strait Hughes ( 21 October 1885 – 5 September 1957 ) was a Major general in the United States Army best known for his close association with Dwight D . Eisenhower . Hughes was born in Ipswich , Dakota Territory , was a West Point graduate , and rose to become lieutenant general in the U . S . Army . He fought in a number of battles including the Mexican border war and World War I . During World War II he was one of George S . Patton ' s close friends and Eisenhower ' s " right - hand man " during the entire European campaign . Career . Everett Hughes , while born in what is now South Dakota , was raised in Minnesota and appointed to the United States Military Academy , West Point , New York from that state . He is noted for being the first captain of the West Point lacrosse team . Hughes graduated 13th in his class from West Point with a B . S . in 1908 , was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Field Artillery on 14 February 1908 . He was stationed at Fort Sam Houston , Texas , where he became a first lieutenant in the 6th Field Artillery on 11 March 1911 . In 1912 he graduated from the Ordnance School of Technology at the Watertown Arsenal , Massachusetts , and was seconded to the Ordnance Department . He was posted to Manila Ordnance Depot in the Philippines , where he was promoted to captain on 20 June 1913 . His secondment to the Ordnance Department ended on 20 June 1915 , and he was assigned to the 4th Field Artillery at Fort Bliss , Texas . Hughes and George S . Patton , Jr . , became good friends while serving under John J . Pershing in the punitive expedition to Mexico . After the United States entry into World War I , Hughes was posted to the Office of the Chief of Ordnance in Washington , D . C . , where he was involved in purchasing artillery . He was promoted to major on 25 June 1917 , lieutenant colonel on 10 January 1918 , and colonel on 19 October 1918 . He arrived in France on 23 October 1918 , serving there until 16 March 1919 , when he returned to duty at the Office of the Chief of Ordnance . With the end of the war , Hughes reverted to his substantive rank of captain on 30 June 1920 , but was promoted to major again the next day . He was Ordnance Officer of the VI Corps Area at Fort Sheridan , Illinois , where he transferred to the Ordnance Department on 21 August 1920 . He attended the School of the Line at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas , and then the General Staff School there , becoming an instructor on graduation in June 1923 . In August 1928 , he entered the Army War College . On graduation from the War College , it was normal for officers to serve on a staff posting , so he returned to Washington , D . C . , for duty with the G - 1 Branch of the War Department General Staff . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel again on 13 November 1931 . On 17 August 1932 , he was posted to the Aberdeen Proving Ground , where he remained until 26 August 1935 , when he was transferred to the Picatinny Arsenal . He was promoted to colonel again on 1 October 1936 . On 20 May 1939 , he returned to duty in the Office of the Chief of Ordnance , where he was serving when the United States entered World War II . On 19 May 1942 , Hughes became Chief of Ordnance of the European Theater of Operations United States Army ( ETOUSA ) . He became Chief of Staff of the Services of Supply on 29 July , with the rank of brigadier general from 6 September 1942 . On 26 January 1943 , he became Deputy Chief Of Staff of the European Theater of Operations , and then on 15 February 1943 he was appointed Deputy Theater Commander of the North African Theater of Operations , and commander of the Communications Zone . He was promoted to major general on 18 March 1943 . When the Allied forces suffered heavy casualties at the hands of the German general Erwin Rommel in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass , Hughes recommended Patton to Eisenhower for command in Africa . Patton went on to win victories over the German forces . Eisenhower considered Hughes one of his closest friends and confidants and Hughes ' reports on the incredible shortcomings of the supply situation in North Africa , sent shock waves through Allied command . His reports upset Eisenhower ' s Chief of Staff , Major General Walter Bedell Smith . Smith and Hughes had been " engaged in a power struggle " since the planning of Operation Torch and their relationship was tense , Smith accused Hughes of " empire building " , and the two clashed over trivial issues . For his services in the Mediterranean , Hughes was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Distinguished Service Medal . Everett Hughes was instrumental during Algeria - French Morocco Campaign , and Eisenhower had him transferred to London for the upcoming Normandy Invasion on 21 February 1944 after Hughes was declared surplus in North Africa . Eisenhower wrote to his wife , Mamie , " I do miss Everett , wish I still had him . " Hughes endeared himself to Eisenhower for his gift of procuring hard - to - find items such as Eisenhower ' s favorite whiskey , " Director ' s Reserve . " Hughes ' official role during the invasion of Europe was to be what Eisenhower termed his " eyes and ears . " He toured behind lines , reported on security issues and logistical problems , and advised Eisenhower on discipline issues . Hughes retired from the military in 1949 and settled in Washington D . C . . He was appointed as the Director for Office of Energy and Utilities of the National Security Resources Board . Decorations . He was twice awarded the Legion of Merit and also the Army Distinguished Service Medal . For his services in World War II , he also received a number of foreign awards , including the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre from France , the Order of the Crown and Croix de Guerre from Belgium , the Order of the Fatherland from the Soviet Union , and the Order of Nichan - Iftikhar from Tunisia . Here is his ribbon bar : Death and burial . Hughes died on 5 September 1957 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after a long illness . He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 10 September 1957 . Hughes diary and transcription . Hughes was a prolific note - taker , correspondent , and diarist ; his papers at the Library of Congress measure 5 . 2 linear feet . His diaries sat for many years in the Library of Congress and were not studied due to Hughes ' unique " spiky Gothic hand . " Molly McClellan was able to " crack " Hughes ' code and transcribe the over 900 pages of his diaries , thus allowing researchers to read his account of activities during World War II , notably those of Eisenhower ' s inner circle . Personal life . Hughes married Kate Murphy of San Antonio ( d . 1980 ) in 1910 . In 1981 Historian David Irving claimed that Hughes had a girlfriend who he referred to as “ JP ” in his diary . Recent research has discovered that “ JP ” referrers to Elizabeth Prismall , who was a British secretary on Hughes ’ staff . The nature of their relationship was indeed close , but it is by no means certain that the two were having an affair . Hughes , of his own volition , informed Kate of Mrs . Prismall ’ s presence explaining in a letter dated March 8 , 1943 , " I have taken Mrs . Prismall to the mess several times and during the past few days … . So you ’ ll soon here [ sic ] that Hughes has a girl friend [ sic ] along with the rest . But don ’ t put the wrong interpretation on anything you hear or on what I have said unless you want to make yourself unhappy . ”