First Black USN Pilot
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First Black USN Pilot
The movie "Devotion" is due for release on 23 November, produced by a crew involved in the making of "Top Gun". Posted in remembrance of one of us.
The story is of the first Black American, Ensign Jesse LeRoy Brown, to graduate as a pilot in the USN and details his service in the Korea conflict. He sustained bullet damage to his F4U Corsair and had to make a forced landing. Trapped in the cockpit and on fire his wingman Thomas J. Hudner Jr force landed his aircraft nearby and attempted to extricate him from the cockpit without success, Brown passing away during the night. For his actions Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor. Brown received the DFC, Air Medal and Purple Heart. On 17 February 1973, the Navy commissioned the Knox-class frigate USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1089),
The movie producers gathered a fleet of six flying F4U Corsairs so I'm thinking there should be some flying scenes of note.
The story is of the first Black American, Ensign Jesse LeRoy Brown, to graduate as a pilot in the USN and details his service in the Korea conflict. He sustained bullet damage to his F4U Corsair and had to make a forced landing. Trapped in the cockpit and on fire his wingman Thomas J. Hudner Jr force landed his aircraft nearby and attempted to extricate him from the cockpit without success, Brown passing away during the night. For his actions Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor. Brown received the DFC, Air Medal and Purple Heart. On 17 February 1973, the Navy commissioned the Knox-class frigate USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1089),
The movie producers gathered a fleet of six flying F4U Corsairs so I'm thinking there should be some flying scenes of note.
When I saw 1973 I thought that was the year in question, surely not, I'd imagined during WWII. One is greatly humbled by the exploits of such individuals and the sacrifices made. Look forward to seeing the film.
FB
FB
There was a building named for him at NAS Meridian (man, it's been some years since I stayed there, officers quarters) and I understand that this past May they named one of the aircraft hangars for Ens Brown. 
Ward 'Mooch' Carroll (former USN RIO) has a YouTube channel. He knows the director and his father (former A6 BN) and was invited to the East Coast launch of the film. The video is worth a watch.
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Has anyone seen Devotion, the story of the US Navy’s first African American Aviator
I have been reading his fascinating story and have been considering going to watch it, read his tragic story here.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/25/u...827c2df05a5f99
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/25/u...827c2df05a5f99
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