Thomas J. McHugh (December 23, 1919 – February 1, 2000) was a United States Marine who served as the 3rd Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from June 29, 1962, to July 16, 1965. Early life Thomas McHugh was born in New York City, the son of the late Peter and Bridget Porter McHugh, immigrants from Scotland and Ireland, respectively. He grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he received his education and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on October 3, 1938. Military career McHugh was called to extended active duty November 7, 1940, and integrated into the active Marine Corps in May 1943. Following his entry into service, McHugh served at the Philadelphia Navy Yard; the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia; the Training Center, New River (later Camp Lejeune), North Carolina; and the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. World War II Promoted to sergeant in March 1942, McHugh joined Company C, 1st Battalion 1st Marines and that June sailed aboard the from San Francisco for World War II. His unit was attached to the 1st Marine Division and took part in the Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu campaigns. He rose to platoon sergeant and gunnery sergeant prior to his return to the United States in November 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the Peleliu operation. On his return to the United States, McHugh served as Noncommissioned Officer-in-Change of the Rifle Range, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. In July 1945, he was ordered back to Camp Lejeune where he served as company gunnery sergeant and company first sergeant for the Infantry Training Regiment, and later with the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 1st Special Marine Brigade and 2nd Battalion 8th Marines. Interim and Korean War McHugh was redesignated a technical sergeant in December 1946 and remained at Camp Lejeune until September 1948. McHugh transferred to the West Coast and embarked in November 1948 for Guam, where he joined the 5th Marines, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force, as company gunnery sergeant and company first sergeant. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, McHugh took part in combat operations with the 1st Marine Brigade and, subsequently, the 1st Marine Division as first sergeant, Company H, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, Battle of Inchon, Battle of Seoul, and Battle of Chosin Reservoir campaigns. He was promoted to master