Kelly McHugh served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, twenty-one Air Medals and one with a V device for Valor, three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, and Vietnam Service Medal with four Battle Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a gold palm. He was shot down four times.

McHugh grew up in Medford Oregon. After high school, he attended the University of Oregon for two years, and then he enlisted in the army and flight school.

After his return to the world and school at the University of Pennsylvania, he became a Physical Therapist. He was appointed to the Oregon Physical Therapy Licensing Board only four years out of school. He met his wife Mindy, a Marriage Family Therapist. They have been together for 43 years. They have two daughters and a granddaughter.

McHugh and his wife live in San Ramon, CA.