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Ruidoso Military Appreciation Weekend |
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Honors Former POW Joseph Hudson |
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Joseph Hudson |
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Joseph Hudson is a third generation Armed Forces Veteran. Joseph was born in Valdosta, GA on July 18, 1979. His father’s 20-year Air Force career has allowed him to live in many places to include Georgia, Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, and the Philippines. His grandfather is a World War II veteran. Joseph is a 1998 graduate of Alamogordo High School, New Mexico and joined the Army in September 1999. In February 2003, while serving his military assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas, Specialist Hudson received orders to deploy to Iraq and carry through his duties as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (MOS 63W) with the 507th Maintenance Company. On March 23, 2003, one month after his arrival to serve as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hudson was in a convoy that was involved in firefight with Iraqi forces. He was taken prisoner in the city of An-Nasiriyah. Hudson was among seven soldiers in the convoy who were captured. He received a bullet wound to the lower left back and multiple shrapnel wounds. Eleven of his fellow soldiers were killed. On April 13, after 21 days of captivity Hudson was successfully rescued. The rescue was conducted by U.S. Marines of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in the city of Samarra. Hudson was rescued along with six other prisoners of war. In September 2004, Joseph was medically retired due to his wounds. Hudson was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal for his service in Iraq. Other awards include; Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, and Army Service Ribbon. Other decorations include: Combat Action Badge, Driver’s Badge, Mechanic’s Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge for M249, Grenade, and Rifle. Joseph Hudson currently resides in El Paso, Texas with his daughter Cameron.
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