Corsair: Korean War Heroism

For 40 years, the EAA Aviation Museum’s F4U Corsair wore the markings of World War II ace Ken Walsh. New research however has revealed the aircraft’s role in one of the most harrowing stories of the Korean War. On December 4, 1950, Thomas Hudner crash-landed his Corsair behind enemy lines in an attempt to save fellow pilot Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy’s first Black naval aviator. Assigned to replace one of the lost aircraft, our Corsair went on to be flown by Thomas Hudner himself, as well as the friends and comrades of these two extraordinary men.

Restored to appear as it did in 1951, the Corsair is the centerpiece of a new exhibit telling a story of friendship, bravery, and selflessness.

Learn more about our 1945 F4U Corsair and take a virtual cockpit tour here.