Leslie E. Brown
| Leslie E. Brown | |
|---|---|
 LtGen Leslie E. Brown, USMC | |
| Born |
July 7, 1920 Washington |
| Died |
September 12, 1997 (aged 77) Palm Springs, California |
| Place of burial | near Palm Springs, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1940-1978 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
MAG-12 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing[1] Fleet Marine Force, Pacific |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Lieutenant General Leslie E. Brown (7 July 1920 – 12 September 1997) was a United States Marine Corps aviator who served in combat in World War II, Vietnam, and Korea. As a combat pilot, he earned many aviation "firsts". He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after 38 years of active duty service.
Biography
Leslie Brown was born on 7 July 1920 in Washington state. He graduated from high school in 1938 and attended Compton College in California prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940.
Brown received a field commission during World War II while serving as a member of the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific.
He had extensive combat and command experience in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He participated in four major landings in the Pacific. In 1946, he completed flight training and qualified in most types of jets, transports and helicopters that the Marine Corps had in use. While in Korea in 1950, he was the first Marine to fly a jet in combat.[2] In Vietnam, he was the First Wing Operations Officer (G-3), and then commanded a jet attack group (MAG-12)[3] and the attempted attack on the DaNang Airfield at Chu Lai, earning many aviation "firsts".[4]
In 1962, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned both a Bachelor of Science and a and Bachelor of Arts degree, and also completed graduate studies in Human Resources Management.
He held numerous staff assignments including duty as Secretary to the General Staff and as a Joint Chiefs of Staff Project Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps; Logistics Operations Officer for the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; Deputy J-3 (Operations) for the United States European Command; Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps; and his final assignment as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.
Brown retired from the Marine Corps on 1 October 1978. He died near Palm Springs, California on 12 September 1997.
Awards and decorations
LtGen. Brown's personal decorations include:
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Additionally, he was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars's highest award, the Grand Cross of Malta; and the Reserve Officer Association Meritorious Service Medal. In January 1975, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Quotes
Wherever you are or whatever your job, don’t be confused or diverted by false priorities. We have only one mission to perform—that is to fight and win. And, we must do it better than anyone else in the world.[5]
- —LtGen Leslie E. Brown
Notes
- ↑ "History of the United States Air Force at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base". Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ↑ "This date in History" (PDF). 38th Parallel. U.S. Department of Defense. 1 (10): 3. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
"September 9, 1950:Capt. Leslie E. Brown became the first Marine Corps aviator to a fly a jet in combat.
- ↑ "Attacks on MAG-16, Hill 22 and the attempted attack on the DaNang Airfield". 3rdMarines.net. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ↑ "LtGen Leslie E. Brown", Who's Who in Marine Corps History.
- ↑ "Leatherneck's Famous Marine Quotes". Leatherneck magazine. Marine Corps Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Lieutenant General Leslie E. Brown, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2008-02-16.