Ames T. Brown

Ames T. Brown (3 November 1890 – 19 May 1961) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of Mexican Border War, World War I, and World War II, he attained the rank of brigadier general while serving as Adjutant General of New York from 1940 to 1950. He was promoted to major general when he left the military upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

A native of Boston, Brown moved to Manhattan after high school and worked for the Fruit Dispatch Company. He joined the New York National Guard in 1915, and served with his regiment in Texas during the Mexican Border War. During World War I, he served in combat in France and received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and New York Conspicuous Service Cross. After service in the Organized Reserve Corps, he returned to the National Guard in the mid-1920s and commanded a battalion of the 71st Infantry Regiment and served as the regiment's plans, operations, and training officer (S-3).

In 1934, Brown became the New York National Guard's assistant adjutant general and executive assistant to the adjutant general. In 1940, the adjutant general died, and Brown was appointed to succeed him. Brown led the organization during World War II and was also New York's federal Selective Service director. He retired from the military in 1950 and from his Selective Service post in 1953. Brown was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his Second World War service.

Early life and start of career Ames Thorndike Brown was born in Boston on 3 November 1890, a son of Herbert Alvah Brown and Mary Emma (Ames) Brown. He was educated in Boston, and completed the elementary grades at the Prince School in 1904. He went on to study at Boston's Mechanic Arts High School; after graduation he moved to New York City, where he became a clerk with the Fruit Dispatch Company.

Brown began his military career when he joined the New York National Guard. The Purple Heart was also introduced in 1932, and Brown received it in recognition of his wartime wound. He was discharged from active duty in April. From June 1921 to February 1925, Brown was a major in the Organized Reserve Corps. Brown began serving with the 71st Infantry again in October 1924, and was assigned as the regimental machine gun officer. Brown's tenure spanned World War II, and during the war he was responsible for overseeing the in state service of the National Guard, as well as the volunteer New York Guard. He was also appointed as the federal director of Selective Service for New York, and he continued in both these roles throughout the war. He was reappointed as Selective Service director in 1948, and continued in that role and in the adjutant general's post until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 in November 1950. At his military retirement, Brown was promoted to major general to recognize his many years of superior service. Brown was also chairman of the state's Commission on Veterans' Affairs. In addition, he served as president of the 27th Division Association. Brown belonged to the Shriners, and was a member of the New York Athletic Club, Old Guard of the City of New York, and Veteran Corps of Artillery. In addition, he belonged to the American Legion, New York Society of Military and Naval Officers of the World Wars, and Military Order of the World Wars. Brown died at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Manhattan on 19 May 1961. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1930, Brown married Catherine Webber. They were married until his death and were the parents of two sons.

Service: United States Army Rank: Captain Division: 27th Division, American Expeditionary Forces Action Date: October 17, 1918 Orders: 27th Division Special Order 31, January 31, 1919

Dates of rank Brown's dates of rank were:

Second Lieutenant, 19 February 1915 First Lieutenant, 31 March 1917 Captain, 19 November 1918 Major, 19 February 1919 Lieutenant Colonel, 14 June 1929 Colonel, 6 April 1935 Brigadier General, 9 February 1940 Major General, 3 November 1950