William Perry Brown Jr.

William Perry Brown Jr. (December 18, 1923 – February 24, 1952) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps aviator. He was a flying ace and a recipient of two Navy Crosses and was killed in the Korean War.

William Perry Brown Jr.
Nickname(s)"Brownie"
BornDecember 18, 1923
Lovelady, Texas
DiedFebruary 24, 1952(1952-02-24) (aged 28)
North Korea
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
 United States Marine Corps
Years of service1942–1952
Rank Captain
UnitVMF-311
VMF-323
Battles/warsWorld War II Korean War
AwardsNavy Cross (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Purple Heart

World War II

William P. Brown was born in Lovelady, Texas, on December 18, 1923.[1] On September 5, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy under the Aviation Cadet Program. He was commissioned in the Marines as a Second Lieutenant on November 16, 1943, and sent to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended F4U Corsair Combat Marine Fighter Operation Training. Afterwards, he was assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 462 (VMF-462) at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California.[2]

Brown was sent overseas where he was ultimately assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311) during the battle of Okinawa in April 1945. On April 28, he shot down two Japanese planes. Just six days later on May 4, Brown personally shot down four Japanese planes in four minutes and earned the title of ace as well as his first Navy Cross. He scored a total of seven aerial victories during the battle and was the leading ace of his squadron.[3] Brown then was briefly stationed at Peleliu and was there when the war ended. He was also awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses during the war.[2][4]

Post-World War II

Brown was then assigned as a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in December 1945. He married in 1947 and had two daughters with his wife. In September 1947, he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California and remained there until January 1950. He attended numerous courses afterwards before deploying to Korea. His son was born three months after his death.[2]

Korean War and death

On February 6, 1952, Captain Brown left the United States and arrived in Korea on February 15, where he was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Just nine days later, on February 24, Brown was temporarily attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323) and took part in an eight plane strike against enemy railroads and bridges in Sariwon, North Korea. He successfully dropped a 1,000 pound bomb on a rail line when he spotted an enemy truck convoy entering a heavily defended supply facility. He unhesitatingly pressed a strafing attack on the convoy while taking continuous anti-aircraft fire. Despite his plane taking catastrophic hits and bursting into flames, he continued his dive, firing his guns until his plane crashed and exploded in the middle of the convoy.[2]

William P. Brown's body was never recovered. For his actions during his last combat mission, Brown was posthumously awarded his second Navy Cross.[4] Several cenotaphs have been erected in his honor, including one in his hometown.[1]

See also

References

  1. "CPT William Perry "Brownie" Brown, Jr". Find A Grave.
  2. "William P. Brown, Jr". Veteran Tributes.
  3. William J. Sambito. "A History of Marine Attack Squadron 311" (PDF). History and Museums Division Headquarters, USMC.
  4. "William Perry Brown". Military Times.
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