After being called to the Korean war, Brown’s plane was sent to protect the 8,000 marines who were trapped near the Yalu River. During the mission, Brown’s fuel line was hit and he was forced to crash into the side of a snow-covered mountain. He was trapped in the cockpit. Brown died while Hudner tried to comfort him and keep him warm with a hat and gloves.
Thomas Hudner was forbidden to return to the site where Brown’s plane went down. The other officers made the decision to hit the crash site with Napalm bombs so the Chinese wouldn’t find Brown’s aircraft. As they dropped bombs over the area, the Lord’s Prayer was said over the radio. Now, 60 years later, Hudner will return to North Korea to help bring his friend’s remains home.
As a result of his heroism, Navy officer Thomas Hudner was awarded a Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman. Then On March 18, 1972, the U.S. Navy christened the USS Jesse L. Brown. It was the first Naval Ship named after an African American.
Little Known Black History Fact: Ensign Jesse L. Brown was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
