Henry William Brown

Henry William Brown (January 25, 1923 – February 19, 2008) was a United States Army Air Force fighter ace who was credited with shooting down fourteen aircraft and destroying another fourteen on the ground during World War II. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1974. He was the highest scoring ace of the 355th Fighter Group.

Early life Brown was born on January 25, 1923, in Dallas, Texas.

World War II Brown joined the reserves in December 1941 and attended flight school at Spence Field in Georgia, graduating as a flight officer in March 1943. landed in an attempt to rescue Brown, but became stuck in the wet ground and both were captured. Brown was a Prisoner of War until the end of the war, while Lenfest successfully escaped in April 1945.

Brown remained 355th FG top ace and top scorer. His final score was 14.2 destroyed and 3 damaged in the air, 14.5 destroyed and 10 damaged on the ground.

Cold War era Brown remained in the Air Force after the war. Brown obtained degree at University of Omaha in 1960.

He headed the F-111 Aardvark program at Nellis Air Force Base. He later commanded the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing and was the deputy Director of Operations for the Seventh Air Force during the Vietnam War, flying combat missions.

He retired from the Air Force in 1974.

Later life Brown died on February 19, 2008, at Sumter, South Carolina.

Awards and decorations His awards include:

Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross with four bronze oak leaf clustersPurple HeartAir Medal with three silver and one bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Air Force Presidential Unit CitationArmy Good Conduct MedalAir Force Outstanding Unit AwardPrisoner of War MedalCombat Readiness MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starVietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign starAir Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonCroix de Guerre, with Palm (Belgium)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit AwardVietnam Campaign Medal