Engineman First Class

UNITED STATES NAVY

John Francis Hudson was born on February 11, 1935, in Clifton Springs, N.Y., the son of Mrs. Mary Manion Hudson and the late Milton Hudson.  He attended and was graduated from Red Jacket Central High School, Manchester, N.Y., in June 1954.

Active in school activities, John was sports manager, member of the choir, and of the school's bowling team.  He served on the staff of the school newspaper, and participated in several of the school plays.

John was also active in Scouting, and had joined while in the fifth grade in school.  He advanced through the ranks to Eagle Scout.  In his junior year, he became a member of the Manchester Fire Department.

After graduating from high school, John enlisted in the Navy and received his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Md.  He had a tour of duty at the U.S. Naval Station, Key West, Fla., before volunteering for submarine duty.

He was accepted as a student at the Submarine School, U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn., and successfully completed the course of instruction in May 1958.  He was then assigned to the submarine tenders U.S.S. Bushnell (AS 15) and U.S.S. Fulton (AS 11), before reporting to his first submarine, the U.S.S. Jallao (SS 368).  It was while serving in Jallao that John became qualified as a submariner and was awarded his silver dolphins.

In February 1961, John was assigned to the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593).  He had earned the Navy's Good Conduct Medal (two awards); and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Thresher.

John is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ronna Lee Hudson of Naples, N.Y.  He also leaves his widowed mother, Mrs. Mary M. Hudson of Newark, N.Y.; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., and Mrs. Patricia Merriam of Falmouth, Mass.