Roscoe Conkling Brown Sr

Military
media-25025.jpeg UPL 25025 Captain Roscoe C. Brown
Fighter Pilot
332nd Fighter Group - 100th Fighter Squadron - 15th AF

Object Number - UPL 25025 - Captain Roscoe C. Brown Fighter Pilot 332nd Fighter Group - 100th Fighter Squadron - 15th AF

Scored two victories, including one Me262 jet.



Tuskegee Airman. Brown was one of 1000 fighter pilots to train as a part of the segregated Army Air Corps unit at Tuskegee, Alabama. Not allowed to practice or fight with their white counterparts, the Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves by painting the tails of their airplanes red, which led to them becoming known as the "Red Tails." Their story was told in a 2012 movie of the same name, on which Brown was an adviser.



As commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, he flew 68 missions during World War II and is credited as the first to shoot down one of Germany’s new state-of-the-art fighter jets while piloting his propeller driven P-51. Brown would eventually be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery and skill. The Airmen as a group would receive the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 from President George Bush in belated recognition of their service.



Prior to his wartime service, Brown graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., where he was valedictorian of the Class on 1943. After the war, Captain Brown resumed his education. His doctoral dissertation was on exercise physiology and he became a professor at New York University and later, President of Bronx Community College. In 1992, Brown received an honorary doctor of humanics degree from his alma mater, Springfield College. For many years, he also hosted "African American Legends," a public affairs show produced by CUNY TV.



He died of complications from a hip fracture. In lieu of a traditional funeral Brown requested a jazz concert instead.

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Bunnie
  • Unit: 332nd Fighter Group 100th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

9 March 1922

Other

Graduated Pilot Training/Commissioned

12 March 1944 Class 44-C-SE

Died

2 July 2016

Born

Enlisted

Other

Graduated

Bachelor's Degree Springfield College

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a separator to aid readability.

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA files verified DFC and AM w/8 OLCs. He earned at least one bronze star on the EAME Campaign Medal.

Roscoe Conkling Brown: Gallery (1 items)