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==Post-World War II Career, Korean War==
==Post-World War II Career, Korean War==


After World War II, Brown was stationed at [[Lockbourne AFB]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]] as an instructor.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref> The U.S. Air Force later stationed Brown to the [[Far East Material Command]] in [[Tachikawa, Japan]], where he flew missions in [[Taegu, South Korea]], [[Pusan, South Korea]] and [[Seoul]].<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref> During one mission, Brown's F-80 experienced an explosive decompression, causing the canopy to separate along with the rudder. The incident left a two-inch gash on Brown's flight helmet. Fortunately, Brown was able to land the F-80 safely without incurring serious injuries.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.
After World War II, Brown was stationed at [[Lockbourne AFB]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]] as an instructor.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>


After the [[Korean War]], the [[U.S. Air Force]] assigned Brown to the [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]] as a flight instructor. He went on to earn qualifications as a Bombardier/Navigator during a 2nd stint at [[Lockbourne AFB]]. Brown later became an Electronics Instructor, supervising other instructors as the Chief of Basic Electronics.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.
During the [[Korean War]], the U.S. Air Force stationed Brown to the [[Far East Material Command]] in [[Tachikawa, Japan]], where he flew missions in [[Taegu]], [[Pusan]] and [[Seoul]].<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref> During one mission, Brown's F-80 experienced an explosive decompression, causing the canopy to separate along with the rudder. The incident left a two-inch gash on Brown's flight helmet. Fortunately, Brown was able to land the F-80 safely without incurring serious injuries.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.

After the [[Korean War]], the [[U.S. Air Force]] assigned Brown to the [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]] as a flight instructor. He went on to earn qualifications as a Bombardier/Navigator during a 2nd stint at [[Lockbourne AFB]].<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>. Brown later became an Electronics Instructor, supervising other instructors as the Chief of Basic Electronics.<ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.


During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], Brown served at [[Strategic Air Command]], taking the qualify as a [[B-47 Pilot]].<ref> Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/ </ref><ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.
During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], Brown served at [[Strategic Air Command]], taking the qualify as a [[B-47 Pilot]].<ref> Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/ </ref><ref> Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html </ref>.

Revision as of 21:53, 2 July 2021

Harold Brown
Born (1924-08-19) August 19, 1924 (age 99)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Allegiance United States
Alma materOhio State University

Dr. Harold Brown (born August 19, 1924) is a retired U.S. Army Air Force officer, World war II prisoner of war (POW), retired community college administrator, and former African-American fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group, known affectionately as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails."[1][2] He is one of the 1007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3]

During his 30th mission in World War II's European Theater, Brown was shot down over enemy territory controlled by the German military. After bailing out of his badly damaged P-51, the Germans captured Brown, imprisoning him for two months at a prisoner of war (POW) camp south of Nuremberg, and later at Stalag Luft VII-A prisoner of war camp near Moosburg, Germany (Moosburg an der Isar,, 30 kilometers north of Munich, Germany. Brown was liberated when General George Patton rolled into the camp in a tank on April 29, 1945.[4][5][6]

He is the co-author of “Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” cowritten by Brown's wife, Dr. Marsha S. Bordner.[7]

Brown — along with every member of the Tuskegee Airmen — received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.[8]

Early life

Brown was born August 19, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[9][10][11] His parents were originally from Talladega, Alabama, but moved to Minnesota to escape Jim Crow segregation, vitriolic racial violence and white supremacy that ravaged the Southern United States during the early 20th century.[12]

Inspired by his 6th grade dreams of becoming a pilot, the then-16 year old high school junior Brown spent $35 in savings to take flight lessons at Wold-Chamberlain Field in 1941.[13][14] Though his mother was angry for his expenditure, Brown's father defended Brown's decision as a prudent decision made of Brown's own volition. Though the neighborhood kids would tease and call him "Lindbergh,” Brown would come to appreciate the role his early flight lessons played in earning him an opportunity to become a World War II combat pilot.[15][16]

World War II Career, Tuskegee Airmen, Time as Prisoner of War

After graduating from North High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota]], Brown applied for admittance into U.S. military flight school. Though he passed the U.S. Army Air Corps' mental exam prerequisite, Brown failed the physical weight-height proportion prerequisite: The requirement mandated a weight no less than 128.5 pounds; Brown weighed 128.25 pounds. The attending physician advised Brown to drink an egg-filled ice cream malt the morning and evening before Brown's retest. After weighting 128.75 pounds during retest, Brown passed his physical requirement, reporting four months later to the Tuskegee Air Force Base for pilot cadet training in December of 1942.[17][18]

On May, 23, 1944, the 19 year old Brown graduated from Tuskegee pilot cadet training program's Class 44-E-SE, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[19][20] he trained in the PT-17, BT-13 and AT-6 aircraft.[21]

After completing 90-day combat and fighter training at Walterboro Army Air Field in Walterboro, South Carolina, Brown was assigned to the all-African American 99th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, best known as the "Tuskegee Airmen" or "Red Tails.[22] He would fly P-51 Mustang fighters in Italy and Western Europe.[23] Brown flew combat missions in the P-47N Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning and the P-51 Mustang, C and D.[24]

During his 30th mission in Europe during World War II,Brown was shot down over German-controlled territory. After bailing out of his badly damaged P-51 Mustang, the Germans captured Brown in the same city where Brown destroyed a train with his aircraft guns. As the German soldiers marched Brown to a crowd of angry townspeople clamoring to kill him, Brown assumed the worst. “I was looking death right in the face,” he said. “They had even selected what looked like the perfect hanging tree—I just accepted the fact, ‘Harold you are going to die’, and that is not an easy thing.” Fortunately, a German constable demanded that Brown be treated as a prisoner of war, sparring Brown from being summarily executed.[25][26] Years later, Brown would learn that fellow Red Tails pilot, Walter Manning,was beaten severely and lynched by a local mob after the Germans shot down his aircraft and captured and jailed him near Linz, Austria at a Nazi Luftwaffe Air Force base.[27]

The Germans imprisoned Brown for two months, first at a prisoner of war (POW) camp south of Nuremberg, Germany, and later at the multinational Stalag Luft VII-A prisoner of war camp near Moosburg, Germany (Moosburg an der Isar, 30 kilometers north of Munich, Germany. Brown was liberated by General George Patton on April 29, 1945.[28] [29][30]

Post-World War II Career, Korean War

After World War II, Brown was stationed at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio as an instructor.[31]

During the Korean War, the U.S. Air Force stationed Brown to the Far East Material Command in Tachikawa, Japan, where he flew missions in Taegu, Pusan and Seoul.[32] During one mission, Brown's F-80 experienced an explosive decompression, causing the canopy to separate along with the rudder. The incident left a two-inch gash on Brown's flight helmet. Fortunately, Brown was able to land the F-80 safely without incurring serious injuries.[33].

After the Korean War, the U.S. Air Force assigned Brown to the Tuskegee Army Airfield as a flight instructor. He went on to earn qualifications as a Bombardier/Navigator during a 2nd stint at Lockbourne AFB.[34]. Brown later became an Electronics Instructor, supervising other instructors as the Chief of Basic Electronics.[35].

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Brown served at Strategic Air Command, taking the qualify as a B-47 Pilot.[36][37].

In 1965, Brown as a Lieutenant Colonel after 23 years of active duty service. [38]

Civilian Career

Brown worked as an instructor at Clark Technical College, and Gaston College, and as an instructor and chairman of the electronics department at Columbus Area Technician School (later chartered as Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio) while earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. in vocational-technical education from Ohio State University.[39] Brown would become Columbus State Community College's Vice President of Academic Affairs, facilitating the community college's growth from 500 students to nearly 9,000 students over the course of two decades.[40]

Brown later founded Brown & Associates, an educational consulting firm that he ran for 26 years until his age 88.[41]

Dr. Brown lives in Port Clinton, Ohio near Lake Erie with his wife, Dr. Marsha Bordner, retired president of Terra Community College in Fremont, Ohio.

Honor

  • The University of Findlay awarded Brown an honorary doctorate.[42]
  • In 2013, Heidelberg University awarded Brown an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.[43]
  • In 2020, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame inducted Brown into its ranks.[44][45] The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame also awarded Brown and his wife the "Writers of the Year" award for their book, “Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman.”[46][47]

Book

Brown is the co-author of “Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” co-written by Brown's wife, Dr. Marsha S. Bordner.[48]

References

  1. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  2. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  3. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ^ U.S. Air Force. "Tuskegee Airman describes service, time as POW during virtual call with 332nd AEW." 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Published February 21, 2021. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2507981/tuskegee-airman-describes-service-time-as-pow-during-virtual-call-with-332nd-aew/
  5. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  6. ^ Greater Miami Aviation Association. "Lt. Col. Harold Brown." https://www.gmaagala.com/lt-col-harold-brown/
  7. ^ Task & Purpose. Brookline Media. "They had to fight to get into the fight:’ One of the last Tuskegee Airmen recalls their battle for equality." BRIAN ALBRECHT, THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. JULY 07, 2019
  8. ^ The Times Leader. "Saluting an American Hero." Dan Stokes. May 8, 2019. https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/742830/saluting-an-american-hero
  9. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  10. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  11. ^ American Veterans Center. "Lt. Colonel Harold Brown, Tuskegee Airmen (Full Interview)." Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BikkgysaQ9c
  12. ^ The Montgomery Advrstiser. "Being a Red Tail pilot: 'What a pretty fantastic life'. Rebecca Burylo. August 15, 2017. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/dispatch/2017/08/14/being-red-tail-pilot-what-pretty-fantastic-life/553574001/
  13. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  14. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  15. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  16. ^ University of Findlay. Findlay Mag. "Tuskegee Tough: Lt. Col. Harold H. Brown Awarded Honorary Doctorate at University of Findlay." Jack Barger ‘01. https://mag.findlay.edu/tuskegee-tough/
  17. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  18. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  19. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  20. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  21. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  22. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  23. ^ Task & Purpose. Brookline Media. "They had to fight to get into the fight:’ One of the last Tuskegee Airmen recalls their battle for equality." BRIAN ALBRECHT, THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. JULY 07, 2019
  24. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  25. ^ U.S. Air Force Central. "Surviving Tuskegee Pilot describes service, time as POW." 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. Published February 18, 2021. https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/332nd-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Article/2507012/surviving-tuskegee-pilot-describes-service-time-as-pow/
  26. ^ Task & Purpose. Brookline Media. "They had to fight to get into the fight:’ One of the last Tuskegee Airmen recalls their battle for equality." BRIAN ALBRECHT, THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. JULY 07, 2019
  27. ^ Hoffmann, Georg (2015-01-01). Fliegerlynchjustiz: Gewalt gegen abgeschossene alliierte Flugzeugbesatzungen 1943–1945 (in German). Ferdinand Schöningh. p. 296. ISBN 978-3-657-78137-9.
  28. ^ U.S. Air Force. "Tuskegee Airman describes service, time as POW during virtual call with 332nd AEW." 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Published February 21, 2021. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2507981/tuskegee-airman-describes-service-time-as-pow-during-virtual-call-with-332nd-aew/
  29. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  30. ^ Greater Miami Aviation Association. "Lt. Col. Harold Brown." https://www.gmaagala.com/lt-col-harold-brown/
  31. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  32. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  33. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  34. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  35. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  36. ^ Keep Your Airspeed Up. https://www.airspeedup.com/bio/
  37. ^ Minnesota Flyer. "Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee: DR. HAROLD H. BROWN 1924 - ." Brandon Montanye, Writer. https://www.mnflyer.com/story/2020/01/01/news/minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame-2020-inductee/1097.html
  38. ^ Findlay University. "Tuskegee Airman, German POW Survivor to Give Free, Public Presentation. Joy Brown. APRIL 2, 2018. https://newsroom.findlay.edu/tuskegee-airman-german-pow-survivor-to-give-free-public-presentation/
  39. ^ Greater Miami Aviation Association. "Lt. Col. Harold Brown." https://www.gmaagala.com/lt-col-harold-brown/
  40. ^ University of Findlay. Findlay Mag. "Tuskegee Tough: Lt. Col. Harold H. Brown Awarded Honorary Doctorate at University of Findlay." Jack Barger ‘01. https://mag.findlay.edu/tuskegee-tough/
  41. ^ Greater Miami Aviation Association. "Lt. Col. Harold Brown." https://www.gmaagala.com/lt-col-harold-brown/
  42. ^ University of Findlay. Findlay Mag. "Tuskegee Tough: Lt. Col. Harold H. Brown Awarded Honorary Doctorate at University of Findlay." Jack Barger ‘01. https://mag.findlay.edu/tuskegee-tough/
  43. ^ Greater Miami Aviation Association. "Lt. Col. Harold Brown." https://www.gmaagala.com/lt-col-harold-brown/
  44. ^ Commemorative Air Force. "TUSKEGEE AIRMAN HAROLD BROWN INDUCTED INTO MINNESOTA AVIATION HALL OF FAME." Red Wing, Minn. June 19, 2019. https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/tuskegee-airman-harold-brown-inducted-into-minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame#:~:text=Tuskegee%20Airman%20Harold%20Brown%20Inducted%20Into%20Minnesota%20Aviation,Marsha%20Bordner%2C%20PhD%2C%20together%20also%20received%20recognition%20
  45. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  46. ^ Caf Rise Above."Dr. Harold H. Brown." https://cafriseabove.org/dr-harold-h-brown/
  47. ^ Commemorative Air Force. "TUSKEGEE AIRMAN HAROLD BROWN INDUCTED INTO MINNESOTA AVIATION HALL OF FAME." Red Wing, Minn. June 19, 2019. https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/tuskegee-airman-harold-brown-inducted-into-minnesota-aviation-hall-of-fame#:~:text=Tuskegee%20Airman%20Harold%20Brown%20Inducted%20Into%20Minnesota%20Aviation,Marsha%20Bordner%2C%20PhD%2C%20together%20also%20received%20recognition%20
  48. ^ Task & Purpose. Brookline Media. "They had to fight to get into the fight:’ One of the last Tuskegee Airmen recalls their battle for equality." BRIAN ALBRECHT, THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. JULY 07, 2019
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