Ace fighter pilot, Medal of Honor recipient dies, age 86

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Jeff was unique. Though he was best known for the Medal of Honor, he was also a PhD in education and a senior olympics gold medalist (pole vault, IIRC). With his Cajun accent and L'oosiana sense of humor, he was also one of THE most entertaining people I've ever known.
 
ALL TROOPS WILL BE rememberd ispecely pilots of ww2 that risked him self . AND for evrey TROOP that dies 2 are reborn to tack ther plase in the futer

IAM WITH you by the way nice pictuer of a p-51mustang do you know a p-51 pilot
 
I'm living near Tours city, France, where is St Martin's tomb into the St Martin basilica and I can light a candle to his memory ... With his family permission of course.
Let me know.
RIP.
 
I have a question, do you have anything on Henry W. Brown, regarding his death. He is my 2nd cousin and I have been searching for his obit. I do have 3 books that he sent the family and some pictures also. I am retired US Army. Hope you might be able to help . Thanks. What you have posted on the Ace Fighter pilot is very nice. Keep up the good work.
 

I am sorry I haven't checked back. Yes, Henry "Junior' Brown died of complications from Alzheimers. Send me a PM with email address and I will send you more including the Bios and pics. I still have Henry's combat film as well as some F-111 film he gave me many years ago.

Brown, Henry William Brown (Junior, Baby)
Colonel
Born 25 January, 1923 – Dallas, Texas.

Joined USA Reserves December 1941, graduated from Flight School at Spence Field, GA as a Flight Officer in March 1943. Joined the 354FS/355th FG at Steeple Morden, England in November, 1943 and promoted to Lieutenant in January, 1944.

On March 8, 1944 following a Berlin mission escort, Brown destroyed three Ju 88's and a shared Me 110 at Hosepe Airfield to become the first 8th AF fighter pilot to destroy more than 3 in one day. Charlie Sweat was the first 355FG pilot to die strafing German airfields on the same day.

He became the Group's 5th ace on 24, April, 1944 and led the 355th in total air/ground scores on May 13 at the start of the 8thAF 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 8th AF (active) leading top scorer. He was the first 8th AF pilot to destroy 6 on the ground, during September.

On October 3, 1944 Brown was finally stopped by German flak at Nordlingen A/D. Major Charles Lenfest attempted the 354FS' second Piggy Back rescue of Captain Brown but got stuck in the mud – leaving two of the 354FS/355FG aces in German hands as POW. Lenfest successfully escaped in April, 1945.

Brown remained 355FG top ace, top scorer and was acclaimed to have best eyes in the group. He was the second most decorated pilot in the 355th FG – second only to Colonel Claiborne Kinnard, Jr.

Following WWII, Brown stayed in AF, obtained degree at University of Omaha in 1960, was head of F-111 program at Nellis AFB, then commanded 48th TFW of F-111's before retiring as Colonel in 1974.

Final Score – 14.2 destroyed and 3 damaged in the air, 14.5 destroyed and 10 damaged on the ground

Awards: DSC, SS, DFC (5), AM (19), PH, Croix de Guerre, Distinguished Unit Citation.
a/c assigned; P-47D-2RE 42-74703 WR-Z 'Baby' ; P-51B-10 42-106448 WR-Z 'Hun Hunter~Texas'; P-51D-5 44-13305 WR-Z 'Hun Hunter'


regards,

Bill Marshall
 
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