Jesse Leroy Brown graduated as salutatorian of Eureka High School in 1944. From there, he attended Ohio State University where he joined the Navy’s flight training program. In 1948, Brown made history becoming the Navy’s first African American aviator. He was killed in action on December 4, 1950, while serving his country in the Korean conflict. His legacy is honored in his hometown and worldwide. Devotion, a movie about Ensign Brown’s military service, was released in November 2022.
Levator Jackson was a staple of the community, known for her domestic work and provided assistance wherever needed. Jackson also played an integral role in Freedom Summer of 1964.
