There is a new war movie out entitled “Devotion”. It is based on the true story of the first black naval aviator and his white friend and wing man Thomas Hudner. The movie is commendably accurate. The climactic incident in the movie occurred on Dec. 4, 1950.
Thomas Hudner was born the son of a rich owner of several grocery stores. He went to a prestigious academy for high school where he excelled as a student and an athlete. After Pearl Harbor, he went to the US Naval Academy. He graduated in 1946, missing WWII. He became a communications officer. He then developed an interest in flying, so he was allowed to attend flight school. When he passed the course, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier Leyte, flying F4U Corsairs. He soon befriended the first black pilot in the Navy, Jesse Brown. The two often flew as wing mates. When the Korean War broke out, the Leyte was sent to the war. Hudner flew 20 missions, attacking supply and communications for the Chinese in the Chosin Reservoir campaign, troop concentrations, and military targets. On Dec. 4, 1950, his flight was tasked with a search and destroy mission. They hunted for targets, but found none. Suddenly, Jesse Brown’s aircraft started leaking fuel. It had probably been hit by ground fire by hidden Chinese. Brown had to crash land, destroying his plane and pinning him in the cockpit. What Hudner did next got him in trouble, but also earned him the Medal of Honor. Here is his citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a pilot in Fighter Squadron 32, while attempting to rescue a squadron mate whose plane struck by antiaircraft fire and trailing smoke, was forced down behind enemy lines. Quickly maneuvering to circle the downed pilot and protect him from enemy troops infesting the area, Lt. (J. G.) Hudner risked his life to save the injured flier who was trapped alive in the burning wreckage. Fully aware of the extreme danger in landing on the rough mountainous terrain and the scant hope of escape or survival in subzero temperature, he put his plane down skillfully in a deliberate wheels-up landing in the presence of enemy troops. With his bare hands, he packed the fuselage with snow to keep the flames away from the pilot and struggled to pull him free. Unsuccessful in this, he returned to his crashed aircraft and radioed other airborne planes, requesting that a helicopter be dispatched with an ax and fire extinguisher. He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold, and flames. Lt. (J. G.) Hudner’s exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
After the incident, Hudner was called on the carpet for destroying his Corsair and risking the life of a helicopter pilot. The Navy proclaimed a new rule that no pilot was allowed to land to try to rescue another pilot. Hudner was forgiven. You get some slack when you have a Medal of Honor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Hudner_Jr.
https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2022/11/now-showing-devotion-2022.html
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