Here's the part you won't read in any history book.
IF Hudner could have freed Brown from the wreckage
an R-4 helo would have launched to effect a rescue.
The R-4 had one pilot and one aircrew. Those birds
could only lift three guys in the conditions. Procedure was;
leave the helo crewman for a later rescue if possible.
Owen, the reason you won't read that in a history book is because a
HO3S responded to Hudner's call for a helo and that is how he eventually left the scene. Knowing there were two pilots needing rescue, the pilot light loaded the helo before launch so your scenario doesn't hold water or even make sense.
Definitely NOT an R-4
My question...."Capt Hudner,
after you were ordered NOT to land, how do you
look that enlisted sailor in the face and tell him
he has to remain behind enemy lines and hope
another helo can rescue him?"
I am just a dumb civillian and I don't understand.
Help me,
J. Owen Miller
You should have stopped right there. The rest is bullshit and pure speculation unless you were there.
CAPT Hudner did what he thought was the right thing to do at the time, who the fuck are you to second guess his decision?
In other words, we who have been in combat do not second guess acts like this and play "What if?".
CAPT Hudner as a young LTJG resolved to save his squadronmate and friend knowing he could have suffered the same fate or worse by hitting a hidden rock under the snow. He forcelanded his Corsair anyway behind enemy lines. He wasn't looking for a medal and wasn't sure after returning to the ship whether he'd be court-martialed for losing his airplane and putting himself at risk. He will always carry the memory of his close friend dying in his arms. He has often said he didn't feel like he deserved a medal at all and wears it only to preserve the memory of Jesse. How
dare you insult him and his actions?