William Perry Brown, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps

Captain William Perry Brown, Jr. was a veteran of World War II and finished the war as a Marine Corps Ace with 7 aerial victories.

In Korea, he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter with Headquarters Squadron, 12th Marine Air Group. On 24 February 1952, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the target area.

Captain Brown's remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Navy Cross with Gold Star
Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star
Purple Heart
Air Medal with 6 Gold Stars
Combat Action Ribbon
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Naval Aviator Badge

Navy Cross Citation (1st Award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant William Perry Brown, Jr. (MCSN: 0-32240), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-311), Marine Air Group THIRTY-ONE (MAG-31), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 4 May 1945. Leading his division on a combat air patrol, Second Lieutenant Brown sighted a flight of eleven enemy planes. Immediately giving battle, he fought his plane gallantly to shoot down four of the hostile craft and, by his expert flight leadership, contributed materially to the success of his division in destroying the remaining eight Japanese planes. His superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 002608 (October 9, 1945)

Navy Cross Citation (2nd Award)

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain William Perry Brown, Jr. (MCSN: 0-32240), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of a Plane temporarily attached to Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 24 February 1952. Volunteering to participate in an eight-plane strike against heavily defended rail and bridge installations along a main enemy supply route at Sariwon, Captain Brown fearlessly pressed home his attack in the face of an intense barrage of hostile anti-aircraft fire and scored a direct hit on a rail line with a 1,000-pound bomb. Spotting a convoy of enemy trucks entering a well-fortified supply center while he was recovering from his initial dive, he immediately launched a low-level strafing run on the objective despite damage to his plane from continuous hostile ground fire. Although his aircraft burst into flames, Captain Brown bravely continued to dive on the vehicles with his guns blazing until his plane crashed and exploded amid the convoy. His outstanding courage, superb airmanship and valiant devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Brown and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 940 (November 26, 1952)

Distinguished Flying Cross Citation (1st Award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant William Perry Brown, Jr. (MCSN: 0-32240), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy on Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 28 April 1945. Second Lieutenant Brown destroyed two enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Distinguished Flying Cross Citation (2nd Award)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant William Perry Brown, Jr. (MCSN: 0-32240), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy on Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, during the period 30 April to 7 May 1945. Second Lieutenant Brown participated in one strike and four combat air patrols, completing his twentieth mission against the enemy.