Jesse Leroy Brown (1926-1950) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was the first African American aviator in the United States Navy. During the Korean War, Ensign Brown flew support missions with Fighter Squadron 32 from the aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CV-32).

On December 4, 1950, Ensign Brown’s F4U-4 Corsair was shot down while providing air support to Marines on the ground during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Brown crash-landed but was trapped inside his aircraft after landing. His squadron commander, Lieutenant Thomas Hudner, saw the crash and attempted a rescue by crash-landing his aircraft near Brown’s. Brown, however, was unable to be saved. Ensign Brown posthumously received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart. Lieutenant Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor for his attempt to save Brown’s life.

Brown’s story and ultimate sacrifice and his friendship with Lieutenant Hudner are told in the 2022 feature film Devotion.

This portrait by Mississippi artist Marc Poole from 2014 depicts Ensign Brown in his United States Navy flight gear.