The Story of Jesse L. Brown: The Navy’s First African American Pilot

This Korean War hero broke the color barrier, paving the way for Black aviators for years to come.

Jeremy Kariuki

Friday, February 11, 2022 at 11:39 AM ET

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Ensign Jesse L. Brown seated in the Vought F4U-4 Corsair — Circa 1950. [Courtesy: F-35 Joint Program Office]

Key Takeaways:

Jesse L. Brown broke racial barriers to become the U.S. Navy's first African American pilot in 1948, overcoming significant personal and institutional challenges.
He died heroically in December 1950 during the Korean War, after his plane was shot down while providing air support for embattled U.N. troops, becoming the first African American officer killed in the conflict.
His wingman, Lt. Thomas Hudner Jr., risked his own life by intentionally crashing his plane to attempt a rescue, a selfless act for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Brown was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal, and a Navy frigate, the USS Jesse L. Brown, was named in his honor.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of a month-long series celebrating Black History Month through aviation: Feb. 1: African American Pioneers in Flight and Space | Feb. 4: Legacy Flying Academy | Feb. 10: Why Aren’t There More Black Pilots in the Air Force? | Feb. 11: Jesse L. Brown | Feb. 15: Meet Four African Americans Making a Difference in Aviation | Feb. 18: From “Hidden Figures” to “Artemis” | Feb. 22: CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright | Feb. 25: Cal Poly Humboldt

The Korean winter of 1950 was an especially bitter one. United Nations troops, including thousands of U.S. Marines, were advancing near the Changjin Reservoir in sub-freezing temperatures.