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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 April 1944. On this date Lieutenant Brown, while flying a fighter airplane over enemy occupied territory, destroyed one enemy plane and damaged another by a strafing attack against a well-defended airdrome. While regaining altitude he saw an enemy fighter a short distance away. Without hesitation he attacked and destroyed it. Although Lieutenant Brown had expended all ammunition during this action, when he observed four enemy fighters attacking two friendly fighters, he, with complete disregard for his own safety, at once flew in to assist the friendly fighters. His determination and boldness forced the enemy to break off the flight. The outstanding heroism displayed by Lieutenant Brown, although completely defenseless, and his determination to assist his comrades reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 10 & 11, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 17 (January 27, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action while furnishing penetration support for heavy bombers on two missions over Germany, 10 and 11 September 1944. Withdrawing from the target, Captain Brown and his wingman became separated from the formation and while endeavoring to regain contact, observed a large number of planes parked on an airdrome. Making a daring attack at tree top altitude, he machine gunned a locomotive just off the field and then took a heavy toll of the parked aircraft. When he retired after making several bold sweeps across the field, he had damaged one glider and destroyed six HE-60’s on the ground. The following day he furnished excellent protection to a formation of bombers being attacked by approximately twenty enemy fighters. Heedless of the size of the attacking forces, he intercepted four ME-109’s and with cool deliberation and skill, destroyed three of them. Captain Brown’s courage, boldness, and determination to destroy the enemy inspired his fellow flyers. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 26, 1965 – July 20, 1968
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-429 (July 10, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned as Deputy Director, F-11A Category II Test Force, Tactical Air Command, Edwards Air Force Base, California, from 26 August 1965 to 20 July 1968. In this important assignment, the dynamic leadership, knowledge of operational requirements, extensive experience in fighter aircraft operation and ceaseless efforts displayed by Colonel Brown resulted in outstanding contributions to the test and evaluation of a nationally important weapons system. His intense motivation, successful management of personnel and active participation in the flight test program provided the basis from which significant improvements were made to the F-111A weapons system. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Brown in the testing of a weapons system of such national importance and interest, reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 22 (March 21, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement in accomplishing fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    October 3, 1944 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 6042

    Captain (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after his fighter airplane was damaged by flak and he made an emergency landing in enemy territory on 3 October 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 40 (May 6, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of five enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 40 (May 6, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of two enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 70 (August 6, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry William Brown (ASN: 0-2044989/T-60975), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of four enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.