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The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown

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As the widow of Ensign Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy's first black pilot, I have been hoping and dreaming for 48 years that the story of his life would be told. At last, "The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown," by Theodore Taylor, an Avon Book, is on the shelves around the country. Impoverished, son of a Mississippi sharecropper, Jesse never knew the luxury of running water, electricity or an indoor toilet. But he fell in love with aviation as a child, pausing to look up from his cotton hoe at passing planes to say, "That's where I want to be." Advised to enter a Negro college, at 17 he enrolled in Ohio State (99 percent white) as a personal challenge and was told by an ROTC instructor that "no nigger would ever sit his ass in a Navy cockpit." Jesse proved him wrong and became a carrier pilot, a daily up-hill struggle over his complexion throughout almost two years of training. Against all regulations, knowing he could be kicked out, Jesse married me in October, 1947, simply because he "needed me." We were deeply in love. There were about 600 cadets at Pensacola and his was the only black face. The pressures were overwhelming. He'd fought racism all his life. He hid me in town. We saw each other occasionally, and a year later we were blessed with Pamela. Jesse was killed in combat over North Korea in December 1950. From time to time writers contacted me and Jesse's brothers wanting to tell the story but none were qualified until Navy veteran Ted Taylor came along. We worked closely with him for more than a year. I and my family are very proud of "The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown," a dream come true.

The travails of the First Marine Division in its "advance in the opposite direction," at the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 are legendary. Almost unknow to them then, and to millions of Americans now, a lone black naval aviator was giving his best effort to cover their escape. He died in the line of duty doing what he had dreamed of accomplishing all his life. He was Jesse Leroy Brown. Never hear of him? Neither had I until I read his biography written by Theodore Taylor. This story cannot be simply classified as African-American History. History of the American Spirit more aptly describes the chronicle of a young black boy who set his sights high then struggled to hit the target. Readers should be prepared to be uplifted in the same manner that they were when first reading about Davey Crockett, "Unsinkable" Molly Brown or Seargent Alvin York. This is human drama and adventure at its finest.

Few people have ever heard of black aviator, Jesse Leroy Brown, except for a line here or there in a rare history book. While I like a biography to have footnotes, this book is one that anyone can pick up and enjoy. Taylor tells the story through letters, retellings of conversations Brown had with friends and relatives, and he even makes up a few. While that in itself would be outrageous, by giving Brown a "voice", we get to feel his pain, fear, joys, hopes and loves as we journey with him from his childhood to his untimely death. As a black woman, I know that there are far too few heroes for young people to emulate, Brown is one we can all learn a lesson from. It was this man's quiet determination to do what he knew he could, regardless of the racial discrimination, he would run into, that we learn how to be strong.

Taylor makes you feel as if you are in the cockpit with Brown, or pushing dollies in the freight yard with his vivid descriptions (I have a fear of flying and this book did not cure it). I was most intrigued with Brown's letters, but did find it uncomfortable to read his wife's diary, the one flaw I found in the book.

But a debt of thanks is given to Taylor, because had he not written this full biography of Jesse Leroy Brown I would not have had the honor of meeting this humble man. So if you have someone who loves history, aviation or needs a real black role model (not a Tiger Woods or a Michael Jordan), put this book on your Christmas or Hanukkah list.

Jesse Leroy Brown is a true hero. His life was a shining example of perseverance and courage. Mr. Taylor's book was well written and extremely well researched. Jesse's flight school and combat experiences brought me vivid recollections of my own time in flight school and flying F/A 18s in combat. The Navy, along with American society, has gotten much better; but even in the late 80s and 90s, I observed some of the prejudice that Jesse encountered.

This book has universal appeal, but it will be especially inspirational to those who are on the leading edge of a movement.

I wish I could have met Jesse Leroy Brown and thanked him for paving the way for my success some 40 years later. My children will definitely know of his ultimate sacrifice. I thank Mr. Taylor for telling this important story.

This book presents the story of a gifted and courageous black man, a contemporary of Jackie Robinson, who was every bit as challenged, gifted and courageous. It also reveals tremendous prejudice of many white men, and the courage of others who decided to change at their own risk.

This book was an easy read and provided me an opportunity to learn about another Black hero that became part of American History. Truly an inspiration. I really enjoyed this book!

The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown is a tremendous book about a true story of an African American to become a naval fighter pilot. It is writen by the same auther of the Cay( search The Cay for more on it). It shows every moment of his rough journey to become an naval pilot. This book really describes the kind of person that Jesse Leroy Brown was. Jesse is one of a handful of African Americans like Martin Luther King Jr. who stood up for his rights as a person.I don't want to describe too much with out spoiling the book, so read the "Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown" and see the life of a famous fighter pilot and African American.

The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown is a tromendous book about a ture storyof a African American becoming the first african american to become a navel fighter pilot. It is writen by the same aouther of the Cay( search The Cay for more on it). Shows every moment of his rough journy to become an navel pilot. Jesse is a hand full of african americans like Martin Luther King Jr. Not to little nor not much to describe with out spoiling the book so read the Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown and see the life of a famous fighter pilot and african american.

I already read about Ensign Jesse Brown's untimely death in Korea in an aviation magazine article a few years ago and was greatly touched. Ever since I read the article, I wanted to know more about such a truly noble individual. I was very excited to find this book about his life.

Reading Jesse's biography was somewhat bittersweet because I knew how it would end. However, I was able to put myself in the sequential timeframe of the book. It is written in such a way that the author puts the reader in a virtual seat right next to Ensign Brown. I felt his pain, sorrows, and joy. I also sensed the helpless that he must have felt while trapped in his Corsair, so much so that I shed quite a few tears while reading the last couple of chapters.

I hope that someone like Tom Hanks, Steve Spielberg, Spike Lee, Katherine Bigelow, Oprah Winfrey, or Clint Eastwood would read this book, get inspired as I did, and make a movie about Jesse's life. Such a movie is long overdue about not only a hero, but also a truly great man and a role model. And the same goes for Ensign Brown's friend to the end, Captain Thomas Hudner.

I discovered Jesse Leroy Brown, after listening to a broadcast of the Pritzger Military Library series regarding Congressional Medal of Honor recipiants. Here is a story of a man that stood against all kinds of adversity, much of which is described here, to pursue a single dream, a single ambition. To fly airplanes in service of his country. While we heap loads of praise of many other folks that may or may not deserve it. This man stands apart from most all of them.
From humble beginnings in the deep south to the Ohio State University, to training in Pensacola, Florida as an aviator. And then left out of most of Naval history with exception of the naming of a ship. This young man lived much in his short life. I would reccomend this book to everyone. It ecompasses Naval and Marine history, African American history, in a year in which we keep looking back to firsts, why not look at some real firsts, and some real struggles. Jesse Leroy Brown, thank you for your service.