Posted on 11/11/2003 6:11:21 AM PST by FITZ
SILVER CITY -- There were no emotional tears shed, only a well-known ear-to-ear smile from former prisoner of war Cpl. Joseph Hudson when he was reunited Monday afternoon with two of the Marines who rescued him from captivity.
"I'm just ecstatic," Hudson said with enthusiasm. "It's really awesome. These are my two heroes standing next to me."
Hudson, Sgt. Sam Overton and Lance Cpl. Curney Russell, dressed in their Class A uniforms, solidified their friendship during Silver City's 30th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The Marine Corps turned 228 years old Monday.
Hudson first met Overton and Russell on April 13 in Samarra, Iraq, when 14 Marines rescued him, Spc. Shoshana Johnson, Sgt. James Riley, Spc. Edgar Hernandez and Pfc. Patrick Miller of Fort Bliss' 507th Maintenance Company, along with two helicopter crew members from another Army unit.
The five former POWs from the 507th were captured March 23 when their convoy was ambushed in Nasiriyah. The attack left nine soldiers dead and five others wounded.
Three weeks later, the Marine unit, which was sent to Samarra to keep traffic from interfering with an armored column headed toward Tikrit, was approached by an Iraqi policeman who told them about some U.S. soldiers held captive in the city.
"There was some confusion as to what we were going in to, but we were excited about being able to rescue seven of our Americans," 19-year-old Russell said. "I was the first one in. I kicked open the door and said, 'Hey, if you're American please stand up,' and all of the people inside stood up."
Hudson said he had no idea that he and his fellow soldiers would be rescued, but relief came with a swift kick at the door.
"The first thing I saw was a DC boot, and that made my day," Hudson said. "They're my heroes, but if you ask them they'll say they were just doing their job."
Overton agreed and said he was happy to see his new lifelong friend.
"He looks like he's eaten, and he has a little less hair," he said with a laugh.
"Just to clarify," Hudson added. "I didn't gain more weight; I just gained all the weight I lost."
Although Johnson didn't attend the ceremony, she recorded a 30-second video thanking the Marines and told them that one day they would get all the praise they deserved.
During the video Johnson introduced her daughter, whom she referred to as her "munchkin," and her niece.
"I want to show you what you brought me home for," she said.
Russell said he would have liked to have been reunited with all the POWs but understood some were busy.
Capt. Troy King, commander of the 507th, and Sgt. Matthew Rose, who trained many of the company's soldiers, attended the ball and were also eager to thank the Marines.
"The effort reinforced in my mind that Marines are a good thing," said Rose, who during the ambush performed first-aid on his fellow soldiers before being helped by a Marine tank unit.
Rose said the company's morale experienced a "huge boost" when it learned of the rescue.
"We were all overjoyed," he said. "There were several people who said they weren't going to leave without their fellow soldiers."
King said he was humbled to meet the Marines who rescued his soldiers.
"I'm thankful for what you as Marines do," he told the two men. "You are Marines first and your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is second."
Hudson said that he would never be able to repay them but that he plans to be a loyal friend and that Monday's reunion would not be the last.
"I have Sgt. Overton's cell phone on speed dial," he said with a laugh. "We're lifelong buddies."
Laura Cruz may be reached at lcruz@elpasotimes.com
Happy Veterans Day.
That's ok.
That's ok.
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