USS Thomas Hudner Commissioning
By Ms. Pileeki
On Saturday December 1st, it was an honor to attend the US Navy Commissioning of the USS Thomas Hudner, a new destroyer named for Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Hudner.
On December 4th, 1950 (68 years to the day) Hudner flew alongside Jesse LeRoy Brown in the Korean War, the first African American Aviator in the U.S. Navy. Brown was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed his aircraft. In attempt to save Brown from burning his aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash landed his own aircraft on a remote mountain top in freezing temperatures to help save Brown. Tom sustained injuries of his own, but scrambled to help Jesse who was trapped. Regretfully, Brown did not survive and died heroically fighting for a country - when at the time was segregated. With harsh conditions Tom was forced to evacuate on a rescue helicopter and later received a Medal of Honor for his actions in attempt to save his friend and partner.
On December 4th, 1950 (68 years to the day) Hudner flew alongside Jesse LeRoy Brown in the Korean War, the first African American Aviator in the U.S. Navy. Brown was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed his aircraft. In attempt to save Brown from burning his aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash landed his own aircraft on a remote mountain top in freezing temperatures to help save Brown. Tom sustained injuries of his own, but scrambled to help Jesse who was trapped. Regretfully, Brown did not survive and died heroically fighting for a country - when at the time was segregated. With harsh conditions Tom was forced to evacuate on a rescue helicopter and later received a Medal of Honor for his actions in attempt to save his friend and partner.
Hudner passed away last November and below is the link to his obituary from the New York Times, with more details of what an amazing man Hudner truly was.
“I try to show our appreciation to veterans and non-veterans the importance of appreciating veterans for what they’ve done, to encourage them to support the people who are keeping us free.” - Captain Thomas Hudner
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