06 Jul 2007 Major Edward M. Hudgens, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, is remembered by the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Midland, Texas and by the Big Spring Vietnam Memorial in Big Spring, Texas. Prior to departing for Vietnam, Major Hudgens had lived for six years in Big Spring as an instructor pilot at Webb Air Force Base. He was married, the father of 4 children, and was an 18 year veteran of the Air Force with service in Korea. His children were living and attending schools in Big Spring when Major Hudgens was lost. His aircraft crashed while he was flying air support for elements attempting to rescue two downed F-4D crewmen in Laos. Major Hudgens's remains were identified in March 1996 and buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His son Jeff has made serveral trips to North Vietnam and has placed a plaque at the location of his father's crash. The City of Big Spring, Texas has honored Major Hudgens by naming the street that entered the old east gate to Webb as Edward Hudgens Memorial Drive. This street passes the Big Spring Vietnam Memorial on the north side and extends some 10 blocks to 16th Street. From a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown 4015 Melody Lane, Odessa, Texas 79762 bmbrown@grandecom.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On March 19, 1970, Captain Richard A. Rash and 1st Lt Dennis G. Pugh were assigned a FAC mission along the Laotian-North Vietnamese border (Khammouane Province). When their F-4D was hit by hostile ground fire they ejected in an area approximately 15 kilometers south of the Mu Gia Pass. Airborne SAR forces established contact with both men but were unable to recover them due to darkness. The next day, SAR forces reestablished contact with 1LT Pugh, who reported that hostile forces were within ten meters of his position. He requested the SAR forces place ordnance on his position and he then held down the transmit key on his radio. Then, excited Asian voices were heard followed by 15 to 20 shots being fired, followed by silence. Ordnance was placed on his position as he requested and there was no further contact with him. Captain Rash was rescued on March 21st and reported hearing the sound of small arms fire from Lieutenant Pugh's location after which he lost radio contact with him. Further efforts to locate Lieutenant Pugh were unsuccessful and he was declared missing in action. Two other aircraft were lost during the SAR efforts. On 20 March 1st Lt D. P. Townsend of the 602nd SOS was shot down in A-1E tail number 52-135154; he was picked by by a JOLLY GREEN HH-53 from the 40th ARRS. On 21 March Major E. M. Hudgens, from the 22nd SOS, was shot down in A-1J 52-142065 shortly before Captain Rash was picked up. Major Hudgens did not escape his aircraft before impact and was killed in the crash. His remains were recovered on 07 Apr 1995 with positive identification announced on 06 Feb 1996. Major Hudgens went through the Hurburt Field A-1 training program in Class 69-13. Two of the ten men shown in the photograph were killed in action - Major Hudgens and Captain Richard G. Chorlins, who was shot down during a night strike in the Mu Ghia Pass on 11 Jan 1970. (Photo courtesy of theSkyraider Assn)

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