Ensign Jesse Brown

In honor of African American history month, we present a picture of Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy's first African American aviator.  Ensign Brown flew with VF-32, a squadron of F4U Corsairs based out of Oceana Naval Air Station. 

During a combat mission in the Korean War, Ensign Brown was shot down while flying close air support near the Chosin Reservoir in November 1950.  Despite several attempts to rescue him, Brown died of his injuries.  He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  See more images of Ensign Brown at the Naval History and Heritage Command's website.  If you are interested in learning more about the  history of  African Americans in the U.S. Navy, contact our education department at 757-322-2987 and ask about the "Blacks in Blue" program.