Retired Capt. Thomas J. Hudner, the only U.S. Naval Aviator to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the Korean War, has died on Nov. 13.
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O’Brien [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Sixty-seven years ago, Hudner crash-landed his F4U Corsair in a bid to safe his wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, who was shot down during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Brown was trapped inside his burning aircraft but attempts by Hudner and rescue helicopter pilot Lt. Charles Ward to free him failed. Both men were forced to leave due to darkness and it was believed that Brown died shortly thereafter.