This is a hard one for me.
Back in 1969 and 70, I ran Primary Radio Operator for my team.
We were known as the Black Fox Raiders. 1st Recon Bn.
Bravo 3/2. 
In the Nam everyone called me Zeke.
I was promoted to Corporal and elevated to P.R.O.
Gary ran Secondary Radio Op. for me, in the team.
I taught him the Bush radio skills that had been handed down to me by
by my predecessors. 
We ran patrols together in the Que Sons, Hill 200, Yellow Brick Road and Charlie Ridge, to mention a few.
I can't remember everything these days but I do remember this about Gary.
Big smile, dedication to family and Corps and he was a hell of a nice guy.
We never talked religion but I know that at some time we all prayed to God to save us. Ive been on the Rig a lot, I knew exactly what was going on that day.
When I was transferred to H&S Company to become the COC Radio Operator
for the Bn., Gary was elevated to P.R.O.for our the Recon team.
This may sound funny but I have always felt that I was literally close to Gary when God took him that day.
It may sound strange but it's true.
He and I were in communication on our radios, me in the rear as the contact operator for teams in the bush and Gary,out in the field, 
I was in comm with Gary, most of the time, that patrol.
Earlier the team had encounter enemy action and were making a move away from the area when the Doc fell, breaking his leg.
When Doc Daniels broke his leg, certain moves were put in place to rescue the team with an Emergency Extract by use of The Spie Rig. 
The rig was airplane nylon strapping with D-rings stitched heavily in the straps, hanging 90 feet below the chopper. This allowed all the team to strap on and be evacuated out. 
Our d-rings were sewn into our actual magazine belt so we joined D-rings and the chopper hoisted us all out at once.
What happened next? well, that's the part of the story I will not explain, I think we all know the story.
I broke protocol that day when I could not reach Rush Act( Gary) on the radio.
I knew  something catastrophic had happen but in a voice that was desperate, I kept uttering these words, "War Cloud to Rush Act, over
War Cloud to Rush Act over, War Cloud to Rush Act, come in Gary, 
no response . You never used anyones name but this, this was different.
I called the bird over and over too but to no avail.
When Mag 16 Marble Mountain, (Luminous Base) called and said that the Bird was no longer on the radar, I knew it would turn from a search, to a rescue, to a recovery.
I stayed on the radio all night, calling into the unknown, fearing the worst and yes praying for the best.
I surely was one of the last to speak to him that day, if not The last one.
In my position as COC Operator, I was the bridge between the working Birds and the Team on the ground and reporting to Division.
I knew so many, on that fateful day. I was one of many who knew.
I grieved then and I carry that period in time with me. now. 
Our whole unite grieved, I remember that.
At the Memorial a few days later, I stood there in shock, as I saw the bayonetted M-16's sticking into the sandbags with everyone's helmet on top , 
Big Tuff Marine? Let me tell you...I sobbed like a baby.
I looked around, Big Tuff Marines, everyone was in tears.
They shed their tears for Gary and for everyone who wore the camouflage,
that infamous day. 
The hair is turning, like the leaves of autumn 
but I remember that Fall day, in Nov. of 1970, 

Dana (Zeke) Zuber
USMC ret.
Bandana60@me.com

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home

Gary Hudson

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Gary L Hudson

18 mai 1952 – 1 septembre 2012

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Forest Park Lawndale

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