On a December 4th, seventy-one years ago, Ensign Jesse L. Brown was shot down during the Korean War. He was trapped in his plane, behind enemy lines, and the plane was catching fire. ⁣ ⁣ Circling above, Jesse’s wingman, Lieutenant Tom Hudner looked down. Jesse was a pioneer—the first Black carrier pilot in the navy—as well as a husband and a father. But to Tom, at that moment, he was just a friend in need. That’s when Tom did the unthinkable: an intentional crash-landing behind enemy lines to try to save his friend. ⁣ ⁣ Tom’s rescue mission would fall short; Jesse’s wounds were too grave. But it’s their example of brotherhood that we’d remember. That’s why we’re still talking about them, 71 years later. On that faraway mountainside in North Korea, they showed us the best that Americans can be. @devotionmovie @black_label_media Painting by Matt Hall, courtesy of @valorstudiosinc