Major (Jerry) Brown joined the United States Army the day before the Pearl Harbor attack, and served in the enlisted ranks until June 1942, when he became an Aviation Cadet. He graduated in March 1943.

He was first assigned to the 55th Fighter Group, 38th Fighter Squadron in England in September 1943. He scored his first victory in January 1944 near Venlo, Holland. He was promoted to Captain in March and became an ace in April, downing a Fw-190 and a He-111 over Munster.

When he finished his tour he served as a P-38 replacement training unit operations officer. He sought a combat mission and was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group, 334th Squadron, where he flew P-51 Mustangs. He became acting Squadron Commanding Officer in July 1944. On 5 September he had to bail out of his damaged aircraft on a mission to Karlsruhe. He evaded German patrols and was returned to Debden the next day by the French underground resistance. Four days later he was back leading a support mission to Mainz. He was credited with destroying five enemy aircraft during WW II.



Post War: Served in Korea and Vietnam. Shot down 30-Nov-50, POW. Retired as a Colonel 1-Nov-67.