Medal of Honor winner at Wis. aircraft convention

Man honored for efforts in Korean War in 1951

OSHKOSH, Wis. — The only living naval aviator to receive the Medal of Honor from the Korean War is captivating crowds at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s convention in Oshkosh.

Thomas Hudner Jr. sported his medal Wednesday while signing autographs and shaking hands. The Concord, Massachusetts native also recounted how he tried to save his wingman’s life.

He was honored in 1951 for trying to save Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first black aviator to fly in combat.

Hudner crash-landed his own plane in North Korea after Brown went down. Hudner, now 87, says Brown was pinned in the wreckage and couldn’t be freed. As night fell, Brown asked Hudner to convey his love to Brown’s wife.

 Hudner says he would have lived a life of regret if he hadn’t tried to save Brown.