'Devotion' film: Ens. Jesse L. Brown

The story of Ensign Jesse L. Brown, a Hattiesburg-area native and first African-American aviator to complete Navy basic flight training, and the comradeship between hie and wingman Thomas Hudner, is coming to the big screen in October. Devotion is set to deliver adrenaline-pumping air combat sequences and heroic acts of bravery against the tragic backdrop of the Korean War - but will it do their story of friendship and sacrifice justice? (MSN 11/20/22) The Things We Do for Friends: The Film 'Devotion' Tells the True Story of Jesse L. Brown and Tom Hudner (msn.com) 

Regional Note: My personal experience with the ship named Jesse L. Brown, his widow and Hudner all came full circle during my time working as a civilian public affairs specialist at Naval Station Mobile, Ala., and at the base in Pensacola, Fla., where I met the duo and was at the ship's decommissioning at the NW Florida base.

Georgia NG supports filming of 'Devotion'

ARLINGTON, Va. - “Devotion” details the heroic efforts of Navy Capt. Thomas Hudner Jr., who purposely crash-landed his own aircraft in an attempt to rescue downed fellow naval aviator Ensign Jesse Brown during the Korean War.  Tragically, Brown – the first African American to complete Navy flight training – did not survive. Hudner’s bravery earned him the U.S. military’s highest award for valor – the Medal of Honor – for the attempt. The Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing, which supported the production of the movie from March 12-15 and March 27-29, 2021, helped turn this story into cinematic magic. “The filming could have been done without military support, but the contributions of the 165th Airlift Wing enabled the Department of Defense the opportunity to be a part of the coordination process, ensuring an accurate depiction of the events being portrayed,” said Christine Thompson, a National Guard Bureau entertainment liaison. Military officials authorized the production team to “set dress” all locations with equipment, props and wardrobe that one would expect for a war movie taking place more than 70 years ago. Officials also vetted, cleared and authorized civilian aircraft seen in the movie to land at the wing’s home station, Savannah Air National Guard Base, and use a hangar during filming. (National Guard Bureau 11/23/22)