JAMES A. HUDSON, LTJG, USN
James Hudson '50
Lucky Bag
From the 1950 Lucky Bag:
JAMES ALEXANDER HUDSON
Hollywood, California
How Jim was shanghaied, he cannot explain; but, after a spell in the fleet, he came to Navy from that land where life is at its best—so he says. Some say that this curly haired wonder was the easiest man in the company. "I can get that done tomorrow," he said. Sometimes he did; for gymnastics, sailing, golf, tennis, music, color photography, and the Spanish language were close to his heart. Last but not least, academics were fruit. El Hijo had plenty of time to plan that house in Cal with Diver's Cove in the front yard and Yosemite in the back. Here's a friendly, moody, cheerful enthusiast who, when his spirit is aroused, gets what he wants.
JAMES ALEXANDER HUDSON
Hollywood, California
How Jim was shanghaied, he cannot explain; but, after a spell in the fleet, he came to Navy from that land where life is at its best—so he says. Some say that this curly haired wonder was the easiest man in the company. "I can get that done tomorrow," he said. Sometimes he did; for gymnastics, sailing, golf, tennis, music, color photography, and the Spanish language were close to his heart. Last but not least, academics were fruit. El Hijo had plenty of time to plan that house in Cal with Diver's Cove in the front yard and Yosemite in the back. Here's a friendly, moody, cheerful enthusiast who, when his spirit is aroused, gets what he wants.
Loss
James was killed in action on December 22, 1952 when the AD-3 Skyraider he was piloting was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire while attacking facilities near Hwangsuwon-ni (Somong-ni) North Korea.
He was assigned to Attack Squadron (VA) 923, operating from USS Oriskany (CVA 34).
Other Information
From Find A Grave:
Awarded: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
From the now-defunct website USNA 1950:
Jim underwent flight training at Pensacola and Corpus Christi. He won his wings flying AD Skyraiders. He was assigned to USS Oriskany and departed from San Diego on a WestPac cruise in September, 1952. Jim was shot down on his 18th mission over North Korea.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In 1940 father James was an attorney, mother Gertrude, brother John, and grandmother Marie Frese born in Germany.
Photographs
From Oriskany's cruise book.
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade James Alexander Hudson (NSN: 0-532903), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Attack Squadron NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VA-923), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 22 December 1952.
General Orders: All Hands (January 1954)
Action Date: December 22, 1952
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Attack Squadron 923 (VA-923)
Division: U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34)
The Los Angeles Times on August 30, 1953 gave a few other portions of the citation, including that he was killed "while pressing the attack 'with expert airmanship, outstanding courage and unswerving devotion to duty.'"
Related Articles
Wilbur Spradling, Jr. '50 and Lorenzo Daleo '50 were also members of the 13th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
