Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Marvin
Brownlie
1916-03-05

–

2005-03-05

Home:

Vallejo

, 

California

Robert Brownlie graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1939. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774)

    Action Date:

    May 3, 1945
    Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 1800

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Robert Marvin Brownlie (NSN: 0-82646), United States Navy, for heroic achievement s Executive Officer and Combat Information Center Evaluator of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY (DD-774), during the assault on Okinawa, Nansei Shoto, on 3 May 1945. Despite his state of physical exhaustion as a result of five days and nights of continuous duty in immediate contact with the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Brownlie contributed materially to the success of his ship in repulsing thirty-two enemy aerial attacks. His professional skill and courageous devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Brownlie is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Action Date:

    October 13, 1950 – April 19, 1951
    Commander Naval Forces Far East: Serial 8446 (September 4, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Marvin Brownlie (NSN: 0-82646), United States Navy, for meritorious serviced as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CHARLES S. SPERRY during operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Theater from 13 October 1950 to 19 April 1951. Exercising outstanding professional skill and leadership throughout this period, Commander Brownlie was largely responsible for the success of his ship in carrying out many vital operations, including fire support for friendly forces ashore; bombardment of hostile installations; and screening, blockade and patrol missions against the enemy. Under his able direction, the CHARLES S. SPERRY participated in the sieges of Wonsan, Songjin and Chongjin and, although operating in mined waters and subjected to heavy enemy fire, successfully completed its assigned missions. When his ship suffered three hits by hostile shore batteries, he efficiently directed the repair of battle damage and rapidly delivered effective counter-battery fire, silencing the enemy battery and saving his vessel from serious damage. By his sound judgment and tireless efforts, Commander Brownlie continually maintained his ship in excellent combat readiness, assured a high level of morale among his crew and, by his conscientious devotion to duty throughout, contributed materially to the infliction of severe losses on the enemy and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Brownlie is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774)

    Action Date:

    May 11, 1945
    Commander Destroyers Pacific: Serial 04120 (November 19, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Robert Marvin Brownlie (NSN: 0-82646), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer and as Evaluator in the Combat Information Center of the Destroyer U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY (DD-774), during an attack on that vessel by more than one hundred enemy Japanese aircraft off Okinawa, the morning of 11 May 1945. Expertly performing his vital duties in the Combat Information Center throughout the fierce air-sea battle, Lieutenant Commander Brownlie carefully supervised the evaluation of information to aid in the destruction of nineteen enemy planes by his ship’s gunfire and, when the HADLEY was finally hit several times by suicide planes, courageously directed the fighting of fires and the control of damage despite exploding ammunition and the imminent danger that the ship would capsize. Lieutenant Commander Brownlie’s skill and leadership throughout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.