Pyongyang , North Korea ( CNN ) -- The last time Thomas Hudner was in North Korea , he was fighting for his life . On Sunday , more than six decades later , he paid his respects to the ruler who led that fight against him and his fellow Americans . Hudner , a retired U.S. Navy captain , is leading a delegation to search for the remains of Ensign Jesse Brown , the Navy 's first African-American aviator . Hudner and fellow Korean War veteran Richard Bonelli went to Pyongyang 's Palace of the Sun -- the most hallowed site in North Korea -- on Sunday . Following protocol , each man stopped and bowed before the glass caskets of Kim Il Sung , North Korea 's founder , and his son Kim Jong Il , who ruled for 18 years following his father 's 1994 death . `` It was a matter of respect , '' Hudner , who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his attempt to save Brown , told CNN . The visit comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended three years of fighting in Korea on Saturday . Hudner , Bonelli and the rest of the group are scheduled to travel to North Korea 's Chosin Reservoir , the scene of some of the most desperate fighting of the conflict , in search of Brown 's remains . There was heavy rain in northeastern North Korea , the site of Brown 's crash , making it impossible for travel . Bridges and roads were out from the rains . The Americans said they did n't plan to stay for the July 27 massive military parade on what Pyongyang calls `` Victory Day , '' but the meeting with the North Koreans seemed to go well . Hudner told CNN that he believes the discussion with the North Koreans , at which CNN was present , would work to help foster better diplomatic relations between the United States and North Korea . The North Korean military said it would do everything to help Hudner and Bonelli track down the remains of their former colleague . In a promising sign for the recovery of Brown 's remains , a senior North Korean colonel said at the meeting that North Korea wanted a joint recovery effort to continue . Hudner 's biographer , Adam Makos , said the 88-year-old former pilot showed great dignity by paying respect to the North 's former leaders , as protocol required . `` He wears the gold medal for bravery , but it also represents character , '' said Makos , who first suggested the trip to Hudner . `` Because when you study the action of how he earned that medal , it is about great character , risking his life to save a friend . And today , he put his ego aside and he said . 'You know , I 'm going to show respect to a man once considered our foe . ' And that 's the ultimate sign of a warrior . '' Brown 's F4U Corsair crashed in December 1950 while providing air cover for American troops who found themselves battling Chinese forces near the frozen reservoir . Hudner , then a lieutenant junior grade , was his wingman . Hudner deliberately crashed his plane near Brown 's to try to save him , but Brown was trapped in his cockpit and died shortly afterward . Hudner was awarded America 's top military decoration for the effort , while the Navy named a frigate after Brown in 1973 . `` It was very different , '' Hudner said of his first experience of North Korea . `` That time we were bitter enemies . And I hope that our trip here can foster relations , which will be good not only for our two countries but for the whole world to see this . '' In the visitors ' book at the newly renovated Palace of the Sun , Hudner wrote , `` It was a memorable experience . '' He now knows more about the achievements of the Korean people , he wrote . Chosin -- known in North Korea as Jangjin -- Reservoir was one of the bloodiest battles of the Korean War . More than 3,000 American soldiers and Marines and an estimated 35,000 Chinese troops were killed during a two-week withdrawal under fire by U.S. and allied forces . Hudner and Bonelli , who was one of those badly outnumbered Marines , also saw two rooms filled with the leaders ' medals , plus the train carriages used to travel around the country and beyond . North Korean officials said Kim Jong Il died in one of those coaches .
Retired Capt . Thomas Hudner received the Medal of Honor in the Korean War . He returned to North Korea to search for the remains of Navy aviator Jesse Brown . North Koreans tell Hudner and another veteran the country wants to help with search .