SALUTE TO VETERANS 2025: Poplar Bluff mourns its first Vietnam war casualty as Spec. Dale Hudson falls in battle

(DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC, Nov. 19, 1965) — Spec. Dale Francis Hudson, 27 year old Poplar Bluffian, was killed Wednesday in Viet Nam.

His brother, Robert Hudson, 926 North Second Street, was notified of his death by the Secretary of the Army in a telegram last night.

According to the telegram, his unit of the 1st Calvary Air Mobile Group had just completed an air assault landing and had moved into a defensive position when attacked by the enemy.

Spec. Hudson is the first Butler County resident to die in action in the Viet Nam conflict. His death came Wednesday when there was heavy causalities in the Ia Drang Valley near the Cambodian border The battle started Sunday.

He had been in service two years and was due to get out in December. He arrived in Viet Nam about two months ago.

He was born Nov. 20, 1937, and would have been 28 tomorrow. He attended schools in Poplar Bluff and was graduated from senior high school with the class of 1957. Prior to entering the service he was employed at the Doctors Hospital as an orderly. As a youth, he was a Daily American Republic newsboy.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hudson, who resided at 926 N. Second Street.

According to the telegram, the brother will be advised when the body will be returned here for services.