What does Jesse L. Brown’s family have to say about ‘Devotion’ movie?
Jesse L. Brown was just 24 years old when he was killed, but the Mississippi native made a big impact on the lives of the people who knew him. Now, millions more will know Brown’s story with the Wednesday release of “Devotion” by Sony Pictures.
The Navy’s first Black aviator was more than just a man who could fly a plane. He was smart. He was courageous. He was respected. He was a leader.
His descendants have already seen the movie and are excited for millions more to know Brown’s story.
As a young man, Brown worked hard to rise above the racism that existed in his time and found ways to get an education that allowed him to become an officer in the Navy — a man who would lead a group of men who remained loyal to him long after his death.
The movie, based on the book of the same name, was inspired by the loyalty of Brown’s colleagues and the strength and passion of his family, who encouraged him and supported him throughout his education and career.
“Devotion” stars Jonathan Majors as Brown and Glen Powell as Brown’s friend Tom Hudner. Christina Jackson stars as Brown’s wife, Daisy.
A Hattiesburg native, Brown grew up in a segregated South
Brown grew up in Hattiesburg and graduated near the top of his class at the all-black Eureka School at a time when segregation was still strong in the South. Eureka School recently was renovated and turned into a museum that focuses on Hattiesburg’s Black history and heritage.
From a very young age, Brown wanted to fly a plane and set his sights on becoming a pilot.
He worked hard to educate himself and work his way through college at Ohio State University so he could qualify for the Navy’s aviation academy, where he earned his Navy flight wings in 1948, two years after enlisting in the Navy.
Brown flew 20 missions in the Korean War before his plane was shot down Dec. 4, 1950, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.
“He didn’t set out to be a hero, but that’s what he was in that he had the fortitude to go out and do what he wanted to do, and he didn’t let anything stop him,” his daughter, Pamela Brown Knight, said in an earlier story.
To recognize his bravery and sacrifice, Brown was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart and other military honors.
Brown’s daughter was just a toddler when her father was killed, but through her mother and the Brown family, she grew up knowing her father was a hero.
“My family and I are so proud to carry on the legacy of Jesse Brown,” she said. “With the help of others, we are able to continue to inspire others for generations to come.”
Granddaughter grew up hearing Brown’s legacy from an early age
Brown’s granddaughter Jessica Knight Henry has already seen “Devotion” four or five times, and is excited about its opening in theaters this Thanksgiving.
Knight Henry, who was named after her grandfather, is proud of her family’s heritage. Although she never knew her grandfather, she has lived with his legacy all her life.
“It’s interesting, because I never didn’t know the story,” Knight Henry said. “Some of the nuances were lost on me until I was much older because it was part of who we were.”
As a child, Knight Henry though everyone had a special relative with a story like her grandfather’s.
“Some of the nuances didn’t rub off on me until I was much older, because it was just part of who we were and people recognizing the story was special,” said Knight Henry, who grew up in Hattiesburg but is now based in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
There were always educational programs about Brown both in schools and in the community. An exhibit featuring Brown is on display at the African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg, where visitors can learn of the war hero’s legacy.
Books detail Brown’s life story, including 2007’s “The Flight of Jesse Leroy Brown” in 2007 and 2015’s “Devotion,” on which the motion picture is based.
Artist William Moser also designed a recruiting poster featuring Brown in 1976.
Respect for Brown brings wingman to his rescue
When Brown’s plane was shot down, his friend and wingman Lt. Thomas Hudner Jr. intentionally crash-landed his plane near Brown’s in an attempt to rescue him.
Hudner, a white man, tried to free Brown, who was trapped in the plane. He stayed with Brown until he was forced to leave by approaching nightfall and subzero temperatures, knowing his friend would not survive the night.
Neither Brown’s body nor his airplane was ever recovered, despite attempts by Hudner to bring his friend home. Hudner died in 2017 without accomplishing
his goal of bringing Brown home.
Hudner’s friendship is spotlighted in the movie, along with the close relationships Brown had with his family.
“It is a story about honor, courage and commitment, and, I might add, sacrifice,” said retired Capt. Donnie Cochran, the first Black commanding officer of the Navy’s Blue Angels, a flight demonstration squadron.
Brown’s widow, Daisy Nix Brown Thorne, was an educator who also spent a lot of time making sure her husband was never forgotten.
Knight Henry said her grandmother kept in touch with Hudner and Brown’s other squadron mates through the years, until her death in 2014.
“If it had not been built on a very real friendship and respect, decades later there would not have been this kind of relationship,” Knight Henry said.
Family, friendships important to Brown’s success
Knight Henry said Brown would not have been able to accomplish all he set out to do if his family had not been there to encourage and support him. She was happy to see the movie touch on the Brown family’s contributions to Jesse Brown’s success and the relationship between Brown and Thorne.
“I think what’s often lost, in terms of Jesse being the first, is he accomplished this on his own, but he didn’t do it in a vacuum,” Knight Henry said. “He had the support of his parents, his siblings, my grandmother (Brown’s wife).
“I think the Hattiesburg community, where he came from and supported him — despite the times, despite the racism, despite all of these obstacles, there was still this level of support that he had. No one really does anything on their own. (Brown) had the dream, the vision, and everyone else was able to build into that.”
If you go
“Devotion” will be showing in theaters beginning Wednesday. Check theaters for show times.
In the Jackson area, the movie will be at Cinemark Pearl 17, Regal UA Parkway Place, Bandb Theatres Ridgeland 14, Malco Renaissance Cinema and Malco Grandview Cinema.
In Hattiesburg, the movie will be at The Grand 18 and Turtle Creek 9.
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.