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Contact Info
Home Town Globe, Arizona
Last Address Chandler, Arizona
Date of Passing Dec 08, 2007
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (VA) - Phoenix, Arizona
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Brown (AFSN: FR-9625A/0-740139), United States Air Force, for exceptionally outstanding and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. From 30 November 1950 to 6 September 1953, while a Prisoner of War in North Korea. In full knowledge of the great personal risk involved as Senior United Nations officer at the Pingchong-Ni Prisoner of War Camp, Colonel Brown, in the latter part of 1951, despite anticipated punishment by torture, starvation, deprivation and probable execution, organized and directed a secret resistance movement of all prisoners in opposition to the indoctrination program of the Chinese Communist Forces. Colonel Brown's objective was attained when the enforced study program of the enemy eventually collapsed due to the organized resistance inspired by this movement. In late December 1951, Colonel Brown, immediately recognizing the need for positive leadership to defeat the enemy's psychological design, personally countermanded the orders issued by the Chinese Camp Commander that all United Nations prisoners of war would join in sending New Year's Day greetings to the Commander of the Chinese Communist Forces in Korea. The outstanding leadership, exceptional fortitude and selfless devotion to duty consistently displayed by Colonel Brown during his thirty-three months of captivity, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 66 (1955)
Action Date: November 30, 1950 - September 6, 1953
Other Memories He was Assistant Operations Officer for the 35th Fighter Group in Japan from January to March 1949. Col Brown served as commander of the 39th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group in Japan and then out of South Korea from March 1949 until he was shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War on November 30, 1950.