Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.
U.S. Navy (USN), Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) "Swordsmen"
F4U Corsair Pilot earned the Medal of Honor

Background
Thomas Jerome Hudner, Jr. was born August 31, 1924 to parents Thomas Hudner and Mary Elizabeth Brown Hudner in Fall River, Massachusetts. He was the eldest of four children, thee brothers were later born including James Hudner, Richard Hudner, and Phillip Hudner. In 1939, he enrolled in the Phillips Academy where his family had along association as his father and uncle were graduates.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hudner was inspired by a speech by Phillips Academy headmaster Claude Fuess and decided the military. In 1943, enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) class 1946 too late to serve in World War II. Commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy (USN) his initial assignments were aboard warships including one year aboard Heavy cruiser USS Helena (CA-75). Next, served a year as communications officer at the Naval Base Pearl Harbor.

In 1948, he applied to flight school and was accepted and moved to NAS Pensacola for basic flight training. Next attended NAS Corpus Christi for advanced flight training and in August 1949 qualified as a naval aviator. His initial posting was in Lebanon then assigned to VF-32 flying the F4U Corsair and served aboard USS Leyte (CV-32).

On August 8, 1950 USS Leyte was deployed from the Mediterranean Sea via the Atlantic Ocean, Panama Canal then via San Diego and Pearl Harbor and Japan. On October 8, 1950 Leyte arrived off Korea as one of the first carriers to participate in the Korean War assigned to Task Force 77 (TF 77), 7th Fleet. In total, Hudner flew twenty combat missions over North Korea over targets including Wonsan, Chongpu, Songjim, and Senanju. In late November 1950, VF-32 supported U.S. forces in the Chosin Reservoir.

Mission History
On December 4, 1950 at 1:38pm Hudner took off from USS Leyte (CV-32) piloting F4U Corsair 82050 on a mission over the Chosin Reservoir. Hudner was flying as a wingman for his flight leader F4U Corsair 97231 piloted by Ensign Jesse L. Brown. While flying in formation over the target, Brown was presumably hit by ground fire or small arms fire and reported losing oil pressure and selected a snow covered flat open area to the west of the Chosin Reservoir to make a force landing. During the force landing, Brown sustained injuries and the lower half of his body was trapped inside the cockpit preventing him from extricating himself from the aircraft.

Meanwhile, wingman Hudner witnessed his flight leader's crash landing and and spontaneously decided to force land his aircraft beside Brown. After successfully crash landing his Corsair beside Brown's plane, Hudner waded through the snow, finding Brown trapped inside the cockpit and was unable to free him. Seeing smoke, Hudner used a fire extinguisher on the nose of his plane. Returning, Hudner spoke with Brown until he expired from his wounds and exposure.

Rescue
Simultaneously, a Marine Corps Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter piloted by 1st Lt. Charles C. Ward, 0-30663 of Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6) was dispatched to the crash sites to rescue both pilots.

Arriving at roughly 3:00pam, Ward and Hudner used the helicopter's fire extinguisher on in an attempt to extinguish the engine fire. For 45 minutes, Hudner used the rescue ax in a futile attempt to cut into the aircraft's skin to free Brow, but was unsuccessful. Brown even consented to amputating his trapped leg, but he lost consciousness and expired soon afterwards.

Before dark, the helicopter departed with only Hudner aboard, leaving Brown's body at the crash site and proceeded to Hagaru-ri Airfield. Although safely on the ground, enemy forces threatened the airfield forcing the helicopter to take off again and proceed further south to Koto-ri.

Medal of Honor
For his actions on December 4, 1950 Hudner earned the Medal of Honor. On April 13, 1951 at The White House Hudner was bestowed the Medal of Honor by U.S. President Harry S. Truman. In attendance was his mother Mary Elizabeth Brown Hudner and Mrs. Daisy P. Brown, widow of Ensign Jesse L. Brown.

Medal of Honor 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"

Awards
Hudner earned the Medal of Honor and the Legion of Merit.

Postwar
During 1952-1953 Hudner became a flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi. Next, he was a staff officer for Carrier Division 3, Task Force 77 (TF 77). In 1955 assigned to Air Development Squadron 3 at NAS Atlantic City in New Jersey where he flew experimental aircraft. In October 1957 became an exchange officer to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and was assigned to the 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Otis AFB and flew the F-94 Starfire and F-101 Voodoo.

Promoted to the rank of Commander he then served at Bureau of Naval Weapons. In 1962 attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB graduating in July 1963. Next, became executive officer for Fighter Squadron 53 (VF 53) flying the F-8E Crusader aboard USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) and then became the Commanding Officer. Afterwards, became Leadership Training Officer at the office of Commander, Naval Air Forces, at NAS North Island. In 1965 promoted to the rank of Captain and took command of Training Squadron 24 at NAS Chase Field in Texas.

In 1966, assigned to USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) as a navigator then as executive officer and served off south Vietnam. In 1968 became the Operations Officer for Southeast Asia Air Operations for the U.S. Navy and married Georgea Smith who he met in San Diego, a widow with three children. In 1971, the couple had one son, Thomas Jerome Hudner III. Hudner's last post was as the head of Aviation Technical Training in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.

On February 17, 1973, in one of his last official capacities in the Navy, Hudner attended the commissioned the Knox-class frigate USS Jesse L. Brown named for Ensign Jessie L. Brown, the third U.S. ship to be named in honor of an African American. Hudner gave a dedication speech and the ceremony was attended by Daisy Brown Thorne and her daughter Pamela Brown.

In late February 1973 Hudner retired with the rank of Captain. In retirement, he was active with service organizations and veterans groups.

In 1991, moved to Concord, MA. Between 1991-1999 served as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services.

Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services

In 1989, he was honored by the Gathering of Eagles Program of the Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base.

In 2001, Hudner presented Daisy Brown Thorne with several of Jesse Brown's posthumous medals at Mississippi State University.

On July 4, 2008 he attended demonstration aboard USS Constitution in Boston and met U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney.

During July 2013, Hudner traveled to Pyongyang in North Korea, in an attempt to recover Jesse Brown's remains from the crash site.

Memorials
Thomas Hudner died November 13, 2017 at age 93 in his home. Om April 8, 2018 he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in section 54 site 2135.

On May 7, 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer would be named in honor of Thomas Hudner. Christened April 1, 2017 with Hudner in attendance. Launched April 23, 2017 as USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) sponsored by his widow Georgea F. Hudner. Commissioned December 1, 2018 in the U.S. Navy in Boston.

Relatives
Thomas Hudner (father)
Mary Elizabeth Brown Hudner (mother)
James H. Hudner (brother born October 17, 1925 died August 15, 2015 at age 89)
Richard R. Hudner (brother born July 26, 1927 died June 3, 2017 at age 89)
Phillip Hudner (brother)
Georgea Smith Hunder (wife)
Thomas Jerome Hudner III (son born 1971)

References
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Thomas J. Hunder, Jr. (Medal of Honor citation)
Hall of Valor - Thomas Jerome Hudner , Jr. (Medal of Honor citation, Legion of Merit citation)
Logbook of Lt(jg) Thomas J. Hudner, USN VF-32 December 2-4, 1950
U.S.S. Leyte (CV-32) 4 December 1950, page 5
"1515I an F4U4 BUNO. 97231 crash landed in Korea behind enemy lines at lat. 40 degrees 36N, long 127 degrees 06' E. Cause: Enemy anti-aircraft hits. Pilot ENS J. L. Brown, 504477, U.S. Navy, sustained severe injuries and was unable to extricate himself. LtJG T. J. Hudner, Jr., 485270, U.S. Navy, landed hit F4U4 (BuNo. 82050), wheels up, nearby and endeavored to remove Brown who was pinned in the wreckage 1600I rescue helicopter arrived. Hudner and helicopter pilot were unable to remove Brown. Ensign Brown died of injuries, his body was not recovered. Lt. Hudner was returned to friendly lines."
F-ARS-162 "Sub acft accident report CLN para able two eight nov five zero" [Helicopter rescue report received by SBAMA Cryptographer]
Military Times "Valor awards for Charles C. Ward - Silver Star citation"
Corsair: The F4U in World War II and Korea (1979) page 165
LIFE Magazine - May 26, 1952 - Page 131
The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown by Theodore Taylor
Breaking the Color Barrier: The U.S. Naval Academy's First Black Midshipmen
Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War page 519
The Naval Air War in Korea pages 84-85
Such Men As These: The Story of the Navy Pilots Who Flew the Deadly Skies Over Korea page 351-352
Valor: A Gathering of Eagles page 158-159
The Tailhook Association page 37
Beyond Glory: Medal of Honor Heroes in Their Own Words page 117-118
F4U Corsair Units of the Korean War page 27-28
Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 page 343 - 344, 442, 436
Air Combat Annals, Chapter 6 Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown: Brother's Keeper
he Association of Naval Aviation page 35
Navy: An Illustrated History: The U.S. Navy from 1775 to the 21st Century page 118-119
The U.S. Navy in the Korean War page 220, 240-241, 418
Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events page 74, 538
Harry Truman and Civil Rights: Moral Courage and Political Risks page 146 (MOH photo)
Jet Mar 8, 1973 page 33
U.S. Marines in the Korean War page 697
AOL Home of the Brave "Thomas Hudner Tries to Save Navy's First Black Aviator" July 3, 2012
AP "Medal of Honor Recipient Tried to Save Wingman" July 25, 2012
The Boston Globe "For Korean veteran, one last mission" July 18, 2013
The New York Times "Six Decades Later, a Second Rescue Attempt" July 29, 2013
AP "Destroyer's name honors aviator who tried to save comrade" April 2, 2017
Valor Studios "Devotion Wingmen to the End - December 4, 1950" by Matt Hall
Devotion (2015) by Adam Makos tells Thomas Hudner's story
Devotion (2022) Hudner is portrayed by actor Glen Powell
New York Times "Thomas Hudner, War Hero in a Civil Rights Milestone, Dies at 93" November 13, 2017
The Boston Globe "Thomas J. Hudner Jr., 93, war hero and veterans’ affairs commissioner" November 13, 2017
Associated Press "Thomas Hudner, whose name’s on BIW destroyer, dies at 93" November 13, 2017
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. (grave photos)
FindAGrave - CPT Thomas Jerome Hudner, Jr (photos, grave photo, biography)
Thanks to Thomas J. Hudner for additional information

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