Commander 437th TCG - 01 May 1943 through 12 June 1944.

Born on 03 May 1912 in Louisiana; Died on 12 June 1944 in England.



From Col Hudgens' obituary in the San Antonio (TX) Light, 26 June 1944:



'Col. Cedric Elston Hudgens, 32, who commanded a Troop Carrier Group in the assault on France on D-Day, died June 12 in England, according to a message received by his wife, the former Miss Mary Ruth Belcher of San Antonio. The officer returned to his base in England without injury following the invasion, but died suddenly six days later from natural causes.'



'Mrs. Hudgens, who has been living in Homer, La., was visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Belcher, and sister, Mrs. Robert Temple, at 11044 Highland Boulevard, when she was notified of her husband's death.'



'On D-Day Mrs. Temple received word that her husband, Lieutenant Temple, was missing over Germany since May 24.'



'Hudgens received his wings at Kelly Field in June, 1935, and later was with the old 22nd Observation Squadron at Brooks Field. He had served as an executive officer in England and Africa, and was promoted to Colonel on April 14.'



'Survivors, besides his widow, include two children, Mary, 5, and Cedric Elston Jr.; parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Hudgens of Athens, La.; three sisters, and a brother. He is buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.'