Thomas hudner scholarship of honor

As a fighter pilot in the Korean War, Thomas Hudner routinely completed his missions by air. But in a dramatic rescue attempt of a fellow pilot, Hudner executed a wheels-up landing in enemy territory and found himself battling the elements on the ground. The snow and cold of December 1950 in North Korea found Hudner thinking not of himself or the enemy, but of one fellow Navy pilot, Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first African American aviator.

President Truman awarded Thomas Hudner the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 13, 1951 for his courageous actions.

In 2004, the Thomas Hudner Scholarship of Honor was established to recognized Captain Hudner’s courage and commitment to serve others, while at the same time it recognizes young men and women following in his heroic footsteps.

DEVOTION TO INSPIRE

Brian's Foundation has been awarding the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor for the past 19 years. We had the honor of knowing Tom and he will always have a special place in our hearts. 

When the scholarship in his name was established in 2004, Tom was humbled and made his way to EAA a number of times to present the award.

On one occasion he met Jim Tobul, a fellow Corsair pilot. The two connected and had a mutual respect for each other. Jim went on to presented the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor that evening in 2012.

And that brings up too today. Jim and his wife Shelley did not realize that the Scholarship in honor of Tom was not endowed. They stepped up to do so. 

Because of their support, the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor will live in perpetuity. In addition to Brian’s Foundation, David Konrath and Tom and Mary Hennessey have also contributed to help fund the Thomas Hudner Scholarship over the years.

More on Jim and Shelley Tobul...

An avid pilot for over 40 years, Jim takes great pride in carrying the legacy of the veteran Corsair to airshows all over North America. Shelley controls the music and narration while Jim is flying his routine at airshows.

Jim now performs at 18 or more airshows per year, bringing tears to the eyes of veterans and awakening the curiosity of upcoming generations to learn more about the fight for freedom waged by those who came before. He also is proud to participate in the U.S. Navy Legacy Flight program, in which he flies alongside a modern Navy F-18 Super Hornet fighter in a poignant display of military heritage and tribute. 

He and Shelley lives in Jackson Hole, WY.

Devotion, a Movie inspired by the incredible true story of Thomas Hudner and his wingman, jesse brown

A new movie titled “Devotion” will be released in October 2022. It is the epic story of Navy Aviator Thomas Hudner and his heroic actions and his attempt to save his Wingman Jesse Brown during the Korean War.

Glen Powell, who plays Hudner, was on a fishing trip with his family several years ago when they realized they were all reading the same book, Adam Makos’s 2014 book, Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice. The book is about Jesse Brown’s pioneering history, but also the deep friendship he built with Tom Hudner, the Massachusetts-born airman whose life story became forever entwined with Brown’s during a mission in December 1950. “We all got to talk about why this book could be a movie and what an incredible story [it could be],” Powell says.

Powell was especially interested in exploring the unlikely bond between Brown and Hudner, who arrived from vastly different backgrounds to serve together. “I feel like this movie just resonates as much more honest than most movies about being an ally and a friend and a wingman, and how far you’re willing to go for a friend” he says.

Directed by J.D. Dillard whose father flew for a Blue Angel says the connection between the two pilots is “much more honest and a much more modern story about two men really fighting for mutual understanding.” He and the two actors worked together to make sure the friendship never fell into the many dangerous tropes that surround so many cinematic depictions of friendship between white and Black characters. “There’s no white savior, we were adamant about that,” adds Majors. “These men didn’t like each other; they were forced together by fate. The thing that these two men had inside of them that connected them was that idea of devotion.”

USS THOMAS HUDNER

On December 1, 2018 the Navy commissioned its newest guided-missile destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), during a ceremony at Flynn Cruise port in Boston.

“The commissioning of USS Thomas Hudner continues a spirit of faithful service that Thomas Hudner embodied throughout his life, and his legacy will live on in those who serve aboard this ship,” said Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer.  “USS Thomas Hudner is a testament to what the service and teamwork of all of our people — civilian, contractor and military — can accomplish together, from the start of the acquisition process, to the delivery, to the start of the first watch.”

Recipients

2024

Bailey Slade is studying Mathematics and Physics at Michigan Tech. She is pictured here with Robert Koehler.

2023

Wyatt Lassa, Cadet of the Fox Cities Composite Squadron, is enlisting in the Air National Guard and would like to work in vehicle maintenance.  His goal is to be an NCO and work his way up to an officer. 

He is pictured here with Lt Col Stephen Kohler and Doug LaViolette during the Wisconsin Wing Conference presentation in Oshkosh.

2022

Cailey Stolt is pursuing a degree in Nursing at UWEC

2021

Fox Cities Composite Squadron presented Isaiah Bastian with the 2021 Thomas Hudner Scholarship of Honor.

C/Lt Col Isaiah Bastian will be pursuing a Cyber related background in the Air National Guard.

Presenting the scholarship were Lt Col Stephen Kohler & Lt Col Robert Koehler.

2020

William Voelker is studying Aerospace Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy. He is pictured here with Lt Col Koehler, and. Col Stephen Kohler of the Civil Air Patrol.

2019

Flight Officer (FO) Matthew Niemi is entering into the United States Air Force and will attend basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. 

2018

C/Maj Casey Owens is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of MN Duluth.  He is pictured here with Col. Rose Hunt at the scholarship presentation during the Wisconsin Wing Conference.

2017

Yevheniy Mizin is studying at the United States Naval Academy

2016

Michael Chanda enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He is very involved with the Civil Air Patrol and pictured here at the awards ceremony.

2015

Lennon Mauel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He is very involved with the Civil Air Patrol and pictured here at the awards ceremony.

2014

In 2014, the Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor was awarded through the Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol. Jacob Ahlf studied Wildland Fire Science and Forestry Management at UW-Stevens Point.  He is pictured here (center) with the 'crew' at the Civil Air Patrol.

2013

Michael Peer is pursuing his Bachelor’s in Aviation Management Degree at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He was invited to join the golden key international honour society for being in the top 15% of his class.

2012

Medal of Honor recipient and great man, Tom Hudner was in from Maryland to present the 9th annual Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor to Lucas Benish.

After college Lucas would like to join the U.S. Military or pursue a civilian engineering career and work as an aerospace engineer.

2011

Margaret Viola graduated from the University of Chicago in 2010 with a BA in Physics and is currently working as a science teach in Somaliland, East Africa. She is participating in Flight Lessons to obtain her private pilot's license. Margaret is pictured here with her brother Adam and parents, Laurie and Joel.

2010

Shelly Schaub attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.  She is studyied Elementary Education.

2009

Irene Trujillo plans to teach abroad after graduation from the University of New Mexico.

2008

Wesley Rhett Kicklighter pursued career in Aeronautical Engineering.  Pictured here with his mom, Joellen and Doug and Renee LaViolette.

2007

Kris Aspenson II entered the field of Aviation.  He is pictured with Doug and Renee LaViolette.

2006

Heidi Kim pursued a career in Commericial Aviation.  She is pictured here with Medal of Honor Recipient, Leo Thorsness.

2005

Tyler Sibley, United States Navy Airman. He is pictured here with Medal of Honor Recipient, Tom Hudner at the awards night at EAA.

EAA scholarship - 2004

Jason Jarvi received the first Thomas Hudner Scholarship of Honor and entered the Aerospace Program

Contributors

Endowment Sponsor

Jim and Shelley Tobul

other contributors

The Brian LaViolette Foundation

USAF Veteran David Konrath

USN Captain Thomas Hennessey and Mary Hennessey