paterson clarence "pat" hughes, dfc (19 september 1917 – 7 september 1940) was an australian fighter ace of world war ii. he served with the royal air force (raf). during the battle of britain he shot down 17 enemy aircraft. this was the highest number of aircraft shot down by an australian during the battle, and the third highest by an australian during world war ii. hughes was killed in action on 7 september 1940.