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A flyover by the VFA 32 in the missing man formation, during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. The F-18s are from Hudner's former squadron.

A flyover by the VFA 32 in the missing man formation, during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. The F-18s are from Hudner's former squadron. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

A flyover by the VFA 32 in the missing man formation, during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. The F-18s are from Hudner's former squadron.

A flyover by the VFA 32 in the missing man formation, during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. The F-18s are from Hudner's former squadron. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

A Personal Color Bearer of The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard carries the Medal of Honor flag during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018.

A Personal Color Bearer of The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard carries the Medal of Honor flag during the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

A sailor from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard renders honors during the full honors funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia on April 4, 2018.

A sailor from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard renders honors during the full honors funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia on April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

A bugler from The U.S. Navy Band plays Taps during in the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia on Apr. 4, 2018.

A bugler from The U.S. Navy Band plays Taps during in the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia on Apr. 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard firing party fire 3-volleys during the funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner on April 4, 2018 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard firing party fire 3-volleys during the funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner on April 4, 2018 at Arlington National Cemetery. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offers his condolences to Georgea Hudner during her husband's funeral. On Wednesday, April 4, 2018, U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offers his condolences to Georgea Hudner during her husband's funeral. On Wednesday, April 4, 2018, U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, The U.S. Navy Band, and The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon participate in the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery on April 4, 2018.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, The U.S. Navy Band, and The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon participate in the full honors funeral of U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner in Section 54 of Arlington National Cemetery on April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. William J. Galinis presents the American flag to Georgea Hudner during the full honors funeral of her husband, U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. William J. Galinis presents the American flag to Georgea Hudner during the full honors funeral of her husband, U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

Rear Adm. William J. Galinis prepares to present the national ensign to the family of Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Rear Adm. William J. Galinis prepares to present the national ensign to the family of Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. (Jackie Hart/U.S. Navy)

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon participates in the funeral for U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018.

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon participates in the funeral for U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

A U.S. Navy chaplain delivers remarks during the funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

A U.S. Navy chaplain delivers remarks during the funeral for Capt. Thomas J. Hudner at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

ARLINGTON, Va. — Thomas Hudner, a former U.S. Navy pilot who received the Medal of Honor for his heroics in the Korean War, was buried Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

On Dec. 4, 1950, Hudner and his squadron were providing air support to American troops during the battle of the Chosin River in the Korean War. Ensign Jesse L. Brown, one of Hudner's squadron mates and the first African-American to be trained as a naval aviator, was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire.

Seeing that Brown was still alive in the wreckage, Hudner crash-landed his own aircraft to try to rescue Brown, according to the U.S. Navy. Brown's leg was crushed under a damaged instrument panel. Hudner and later a U.S. helicopter pilot with an ax were unable to free Brown. The two had to leave Brown, who was already near death, because the helicopter pilot would be unable to fly in the dark. Brown died a short time later, according to the service.

On April 13, 1951, Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Chosin Reservoir. He served 27 years in the U.S. Navy.

During his full honors funeral Wednesday in Section 54 at Arlington National Cemetery, Strike Fighter Squadron 32 (VFA-32) did a flyover in the missing man formation. The F-18s are from Hudner's former squadron.

news@stripes.com

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