Martin A. Hudson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Martin A. Hudson of Duluth, Minnesota, enlisted in the Naval Reserve on October 27, 1942.
He served as a Machinist's Mate 3rd Class in engine room operations on the battleships USS Arkansas, USS New Jersey, USS Wisconsin in the Pacific and Atlantic.
He was a member of the Third Fleet supporting attacks on Luzon, Formosa, China Coast and Nansei Shoto; the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima; the Fifth Fleet raids on Honshu, Nansei Shoto; assault and occupation of Okinawa, Fifth and Third Fleet raids against Kyushu, Okinawa and Amami; Third Fleet strikes during final campaign against Japan home islands; Third Fleet supporting occupation of Japan.
Main battery bombardments: Okinawa, Kutaka Shima, 1945; Murdran, Hokkaido, 1945; Hitachi-Mito area of Honshu, 1945.
He helped rescue downed aviator from carrier USS Shangri-La. His ship was anchored in Tokyo Bay for Japanese surrender, Sept. 5, 1945.
Mr. Hudson was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver battle star (representing 5 campaigns), European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Medal (Japan), Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze stars, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
He was honorably discharged on December 15, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 120.
The following source is cited from the Duluth News Tribune:
MARTIN A. HUDSON
MARTIN A. HUDSON
Martin A. Hudson, 96, of Virginia, passed away Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016 in St. Raphael's Health and Rehab in Eveleth.
Martin Alfred Hudson was born Sept. 10, 1919 in Duluth to Alfred and Leota (Cook) Hudson.
He grew up in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School. Martin enlisted in the Naval Reserve on Oct. 27, 1942 and served as a Machinist's Mate Third Class in engine room operations aboard the battleships USS Arkansas, USS New Jersey, and USS Wisconsin in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters. He was honorably discharged Dec. 15, 1945 in Minneapolis. Martin was united in marriage to Ethel Maki on July 16, 1949 in Virginia, where they made their home. From Feb. 6, 1950 to Dec. 31, 1982, he worked for DW&P Railway and was a mason for 60 years.
Martin loved his cabin on Prairie Lake. He also loved to travel with his wife and making trips to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.
He was a member of the Virginia Co-Op Credit Union Board of Directors from 1984-2006. He was also a lifetime member of the "Pipes and Drums" and Aad Temple Shriner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ethel; and infant daughter, Sharon in 1961.
He is survived by daughter, Charlotte (Todd) Swanson of Angora; son, Marty Hudson of Virginia; grandsons, Kris (Beth) Swanson of Denver, Aaron (Deidre) Swanson of Midway, Casey (Angela) Swanson of Seattle; great-grandchildrenm Hunter and Makaela; Alix, Payton, and Brady; Addison and Annie Rose; nieces and nephew.
SERVICE: 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.
