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On 11 Dec 58, Lieutenant Colonel <em>Alston Brown </em>was killed while participating in a practice air defense mission at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. At the time of the accident, Colonel Brown was in the landing pattern. An engine failure in his F-104 interceptor was the cause of the accident.</div>
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Colonel Brown, winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart, is survived by his wife, Jean J. Brown and four daughters, Derryle, Brooks, Tracy and Courtney. The Browns are living in Washington, D.C. Colonel Brown’s parents, Colonel and Mrs. Carey Brown, are living in Scottsville, N.Y.</div>
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Who was Al Brown and for what did he stand? He meant different things to different people, but to all he was a funny man. I met him first as a BJ Plebe and laughed with him and at him for the next 18 years. He gave to his friends and associates more good belly laughs than anyone I have known. A thespian at heart, he delighted in entertaining people, and whether as Master of Ceremony or just telling a story, he did it well. He did it well because he loved the people whom he entertained—big, little, black, yellow-people. I was in Dayton after the accident to find his Line Chief and First Sergeant and their wives, a General and his wife, plus most of the Squadron Officers all saying with looks what they couldn’t say with words—that people liked Al too.</div>
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Al flew fighters in World War II. Late, in a well-fought combat tour, he became a guest of the Germans through the courtesy of a flak gunner. Emerging from PW camps as BJ, as he entered he found himself in that period after World War II<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>when there were more pilots than cockpits. All of his zest was turned to learning Japanese, which he used to Uncle Sam’s advantage in two highly productive tours in Japan. That same love of people encompassed the Japanese and was returned by them. General Sanagi, Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self Defense Force, expressed such feeling in a personal wire to Mrs. Brown, listing Al’s contribution to Japan as irreplaceable. So did his friend Yoshibayama, Grand Champion, Sumo wrestler.</div>
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Between tours in Japan, Al was stationed at Williams AFB in Arizona where he trained jet pilots. The enthusiasm and skill that he injected into young pilots netted gratifying results during the Korean conflict, both in mission accomplishment and in pilots surviving. After his second Japanese tour, Al was assigned to ADC flying F-86Ds at McGee-Tyson AFB in Tennesee. From there, he was assigned as Commander of the Interceptor Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB. Aside from military duties, his relations with local civil populations have consistently been outstanding, contributing greatly to mutual understanding and harmony.</div>
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He found in the Air Force the life he wanted. As Jean expressed it, in response to General White’s personal note of regret, “The Air Force was the inspired center of his life...”</div>
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It was, to him, a logical extension of the Military Academy.</div>
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If Al had to die, it is fitting that it be in an F-104. His wit was as sharp as its nose—his needle, at times, as long. It was like him, to be Commanding an F-104 Squadron. Fighter pilot from beginning to end—an officer, and gentleman all the way.</div>
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We say proudly, well done!</div>
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