Navy Federal Credit Union

While still serving in Korea, on June 2, 1952, as his aircraft left the deck on a combat mission, it was struck by the slip stream of another aircraft, fell into the sea and its belly tank exploded. His remains were not recovered.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CV-47)

    Action Date:

    May 25, 1952

    Board Serial 797 (September 10, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Gerald Rodney Brown (NSN: 0-505733), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a Navy Corsair Fighter while attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VF-113), embarked in U.S.S. PHILIPPINE SEA (CV-47), action against enemy forces in North Korea on 25 May 1952. Ensign Brown participated in one of the largest carrier air attacks of the Korean War directed against the industrial facilities within the hostile city of Chonjin, North Korea. His bold combat tactics and expert aerial skill were directly responsible for the infliction of extensive damage upon the enemy. Though opposed by an intense barrage of accurate anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home repeated bombing attacks against the enemy, his unerring marksmanship accounting for two direct hits on a large munitions factory, directly contributing to its destruction, and two direct hits on a large marshalling yard destroying a cluster of 10 loaded boxcars. After effectively expending his bomb load, he located two gun positions which were harassing other members of his strike group and reducing the effectiveness of the bombing attacks. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he initiated a series of strafing attacks on the gun emplacements, pouring a stream of machine gun fire into the exposed positions until both were permanently silenced. Ensign Brown’s gallant devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal hazard combined with his superb airship reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.