Henry William Brown
Henry William Brown | |
|---|---|
48th Tactical Fighter Wing | |
| Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (5) Purple Heart Air Medal (19) |
Henry William Brown (January 25, 1923 – February 19, 2008) was a
Early life
Brown was born on January 25, 1923, in
World War II
Brown joined the reserves in December 1941 and attended flight school at
Brown scored his first four ground kills, while flying the
On March 8, 1944, following a Berlin mission escort, Brown destroyed three Ju 88 and a shared Bf 110, while strafing Hosepe Airfield to become the first Eighth Air Force fighter pilot to destroy more than 3 in one day.
He became the 355 FG's fifth flying ace on April 24, 1944, and led the 355th FG in total air/ground scores on May 13 at the start of the Eighth Air Force campaign against German oil industry.
When Brown returned from stateside leave in late August he was promoted to Captain in September and went on a 30-day rampage, destroying 8 on the ground and 7 in the air to become the Eighth Air Force (active) leading top scorer. He was the first Eighth Air Force pilot to destroy 6 on the ground, during September.
On October 3, 1944, Brown was shot by German flak at Nordlingen Aerodrome. Major Charles Lenfest, CO of 354th Fighter Squadron
Brown remained 355th FG top ace and top scorer. His final score was 14.2 destroyed and 3 damaged in the air, 14.5 destroyed and 10 damaged on the ground.
Cold War era
Brown remained in the Air Force after the war.
He headed the
He retired from the Air Force in 1974.
Later life
Brown died on February 19, 2008, at Sumter, South Carolina.
Awards and decorations
His awards include:
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US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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Distinguished Service Cross |
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Silver Star |
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Legion of Merit |
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oak leaf clusters
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Purple Heart |
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Air Medal with three silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) |
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Air Force Commendation Medal
|
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Army Commendation Medal
|
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Air Force Presidential Unit Citation |
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Army Good Conduct Medal
|
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|
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Prisoner of War Medal |
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Combat Readiness Medal |
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American Campaign Medal |
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campaign stars
|
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World War II Victory Medal
|
 |
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
 |
Vietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign star |
 |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
|
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Croix de Guerre , with Palm (Belgium)
|
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
|
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
References
- ISBN 978-1-78200-675-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-912173-02-3.
- ISBN 978-1-890988-08-1.
- ISBN 978-0-615-15549-4.
- ^ "Brigadier General Charles W. Lenfest". United States Air Force. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
External links
- "Henry William Brown". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museum. Retrieved June 12, 2018.