Section 1: Ron Hudson was born in South Carolina but grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. The son of a World War II veteran, Ron enlisted in the Marines in 1968 after a brief stint at Western Illinois University.

Section 2: After a difficult first year in college, Ron joined the Marines alongside two childhood friends, Don Braaten and Bob Hall. The three deliberately enlisted together in what Ron calls “the buddy system.” Ron remembers thinking that going to Vietnam “was a given.” Ron completed boot camp in San Diego and describes basic training as a process in which drill sergeants would “break you down” in a matter of weeks. While Ron adjusted to boot camp, he notes that a fellow recruit struggled and eventually went AWOL.

Section 3: Ron discusses his deployment and the work he did in country. Ron vividly recalls his late-night departure for Vietnam. He also remembers the bizarre feeling created by arriving in a war zone via a commercial plane with stewardesses. As a marine, Ron worked in the field doing reconnaissance near Da Nang. His unit operated in groups of eight, finding and tracking enemy positions and movements. 

Section 4: Ron’s work did not entail many interactions with Vietnamese people and those he knew in ARVN did not impress, particularly given their penchant for cooking food while conducting reconnaissance. Being in the jungle, Ron encountered Vietnamese wildlife frequently, including a rock python, giant centipedes, and fire ants. When on base, Ron enjoyed plentiful American food, including steaks, hamburgers, and beer. Ron’s recollections include North Vietnamese (NVA) troops using discarded American munitions—hand grenades—as traps. He also discusses an encounter with a large NVA force in which his unit had to be evacuated; the helicopter that arrived to pull them out could only land on its back wheels due to the dense foliage and small landing zone.  

Section 5: Ron Hudson did not see US planes drop Agent Orange but he patrolled in areas that had previously been sprayed. Ron notes that he is on the Agent Orange registry.

Section 6 : Ron discusses how he and others coped with the war; he also highlights memorable friendships and the natural beauty of Vietnam. Ron remembers drinking “a lot of beer” and notes that by his tour (1969–70), smoking pot was tolerated when not on patrol. Ron discusses two of the most important friendships he had in country. His first patrol leader, Sergeant Cleveland, helped Ron develop skills to survive in Vietnam, while Corporal Andy was likely instrumental in Ron being selected for NCO school. The most beautiful thing Ron saw in Vietnam was the landscape. Ron notes that he saw the country from the mountains (never setting foot in rice paddies) and he emphasizes the waterfalls and other natural beauty.  

Section 7 : Ron reflects on various experiences in Vietnam, including interactions with friends from home and witnessing a dramatic B-52 bombing. In discussing his lifelong friendships with Don and Bob (the two friends with whom he enlisted), Ron shares a humorous story he told at Don’s funeral a few years ago about attending a USO show together in 1969. Finally, Ron shares a story of an unexpected B-52 attack he witnessed on “Charlie Ridge” during an otherwise calm summer morning.

Section 8: Ron reflects on the years after Vietnam. He credits his service in the Marine Corps with his subsequent career, which included working as a police officer. Ron does not recall knowing any antiwar veterans but notes that he knew of someone who self-maimed in Vietnam to get out of the war. As a veteran, Ron used the GI Bill to attend college. Vietnam veterans were highly visible on campus at the time, and Ron compares the experience to being in the military again.

Section 9: Ron has been to the wall in DC. He describes the wall as a fitting tribute and notes that it is nevertheless difficult to realize how many Americans died in the war.

Section 10: Ron has not been back to Vietnam. In terms of representations of the Vietnam War, Ron mentions that he enjoys reading certain books about reconnaissance.