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.