Francis "Brick" Embury Brown

Lilah Crowe2021-03-22T11:12:08-05:00

Name: Francis "Brick" Embury Brown
Location of Birth: Taconite, Minnesota
Date of Birth: November 15, 1917
Date of Death: April 2, 2012
Parents: John Brown & Cora (Embury) Brown
High School and Class: 1935 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank: LT COL (Lieutenant Colonel)
Branch: Air Force
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In:
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge:
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:
President's Citation

Military Highlights:
Newspaper article - 1944 – Mrs. John Brown of Taconite received a letter from her son, Francis, who is somewhere in England, and a picture of himself and crew on a bomber, of which he is a pilot. The bomber has been named the “Taconite Express.” The Service Club of Taconite is having postal cards made with the picture on them to send to their boys in service.

Newspaper article - 1944 – Lt. Francis Brown, after 25 successful missions over enemy territory, has been transferred to the 1st squadron of the “Pathfinders.” The “Pathfinder” flying squadron has made a name for itself in previous battles, Francis’ letters home do not tell of his transfer – just the change of address. The “Pathfinder” Division was written up recently in The Reader’s Digest.

Newspaper article - 1944 - Lt. Francis Brown, with the Pathfinder Squadron based in France, recently received the President’s Citation – a blue ribbon edged in gold to be worn on the right pocket. Here is his own story: From Francis Brown to Mr. and Mrs. A. Lawson.
“Dear Mable and Arnold: Received your card yesterday and was glad to hear from you again. Thanks a million for the stamps. They are just what we need over here, since they are pretty scarce. Suppose this letter should really be to the servicemen’s Club, but I can write a lot better than to a group. The old “Taconite Express” has now 77 missions on it and still going strong, a few flack holes in it now and then. Don’t seem to hurt it a bit. By the way, I’m not flying it anymore since I’ve transferred to the Pathfinder Sqdn. But my old co-pilot is taking good care of it for me until I get back, if I go back. Also I should tell you that the Pathfinders have received the Presidential Citation and that is really something to have. The ribbon has a gold metal border, and sure looks nice, besides being an honor to wear. Well, guess you’ve heard enough about me, so I’ll tell you about France. This is a very beautiful country when the sun shines, but darn it, the sun never seems to shine. I’ll bet it rained 22 out of every 24 hours every day since we’ve been here and the mud is ankle deep. I’ve been to Paris once so far for 48 hours and it is sure a nice town. The people are friendly and clean and that’s a lot more than you can say for England as a whole. The city of Paris doesn’t seem to have suffered much from the war and life seems to go on as usual. All the women are very pretty and dress very well. It’s surprising how they can do it. Well, must close for now and will be waiting for an answer from you. Thank the Servicemen’s Club for me again, and read this letter to the Club if you want to. Best of luck to you all and keep up the good work. As ever, Francis”

Newspaper article - Nov 1945 – Francis Brown writes: "President of the Servicemen’s Club: This letter is to thank you for the birthday gift you sent me and for all the other presents I have received from you in the past. You people of Taconite have done a great job in the welfare of the men in service by sending cards and presents. You don’t realize how much a card means to one in the service when he knows there is someone who remembers him at all times. How is everything in Taconite, and what are the returning boys doing for work. Sure hope they all find jobs of some kind, that is the main thing all returning veterans are worried about. At present I am staying in the service for a couple of years or more, that is until things look a little better for the veterans in the way of work, and this world situation is cleared up. Well must close for now and say once again, “Thank you for everything” Yours sincerely, Francis E. Brown, Capt. A.C."

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Francis Brown was an industrial arts teacher at Stillwater Junior High School in Stillwater, Minnesota for 31 years. He had coached the Stilllwater boy's hockey team. He was a lifetime member of the Hudson Rod & Gun Club.

Francis Brown died in Stillwater, Minnesota and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Sec. 13, Site 696)..

Tribal Affiliation(s):