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Four men of the 129th Assault Helicopter Company died 05 March 1967 when their UH-1D (tail number 66-00986) hit overhead power lines and crashed into the Saigon river while flying a night mission in bad weather.
Hamp - First Lieutenant 129th AHC, 10th CAB, 17th CAG, 1 AVN BDE
Army of the United States
Denny was survived by his wife of a few months, Annette (Haskins), his parents Hampden Cutts and Genevieve Judson and his sister Betsy.
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James D. Novak
Denny and I enlisted in the Army together on 4 Aug. 64. He and I went to basic together at Ft. Leonardwood Mo. and we went in different directions after that. I went to Signal School and he went to OCS to become a helicopter pilot. He loved the military and died piloting a helicopter in Phan Tiet Viet Nam in 1967. I was in Viet Nam in 1965 and 1966. I left in fall of '66 and Denny, now 1st Lt. Hampden Cutts judson jr. landed in country after that. His mission can be read about in the book "Wings for the Valiant" by Robertg W Sisk. He died with Reggie Morse or "Moose" as co-captain when their helicopter hit some wires at night during a thunder storm. His ship landed upside down in the Saigon river and he was unable to get free. Lt. Judson (Denny) was a hero. We can all be proud of his service to this country.
Stephanie A. Giroux (Bennett)
Denny lived down the street from me. He came to our house to watch movies occasionally. He was one of the few young men I knew who died in Vietnam I am so proud of him, but so sad, too
Kristin M. Stavnes (Traughber)
Thank you, Jim, for further details on Denny. He lived about 4 blocks from me and was the first Vietnam casualty of a friend.....the Vietnam War became very personal after that. I am so proud of all the men and women who have served our country. To all the Vietman Vets, both dead and alive: "Welcome home, brother."
Jeff Poehler
I played basketball with Denny in grades 9–11 and we were in Mrs. Selin's (sp?) 11th grade English class together. The class did a one act play called "The Valiant" by Hall and Middlemass out of our text book, and Denny played the principal character. It's about a convicted murderer who goes silently to his execution without ever revealing his true identity, perhaps to avoid disgrace to his family, even though he may not be guilty. This occurs while the warden, the chaplain and a woman who might be his sister all attempt to find him out. At age 16 I remember being awestruck by the quiet power with which Denny carried out his role. The play ended with his character walking to his execution and quoting Shakespeare: "Cowards die a thousand deaths, the valiant ne'er taste of death but once", repeating it several times. Five years later I heard he was killed in Vietnam, four years after that I found myself in Vietnam as well. Today I read Jim Novak's message that Denny's story is told in the book "Wings for the Valiant" and it sends a chill down my spine. Denny has been a inspiration to me all my life.
Michael E. Perrault
From a fellow aviator and friend. Denny's service to OUR country is most greatly appreciated, as is that of our other classmates who died or were wounded in Vietnam. Denny made the supreme sacrifice...he is sorely missed.
Kristin M. Stavnes (Traughber)
I just finished the book WINGS FOR THE VALIANT by Robert W. Sisk. It is a chopper pilot's eyewitness account of helicopter combat in Vietnam. On page 163 Sisk writes "Moose (Reggie Morse) bought the farm......plowed into some power lines and crashed into the Saigon River. Killed everyone on board." This must have been Denny's last ride. It is a fast read, if you can tolerate some of the descriptions.
Diane Goserud (Anderson)