<p>
Hugh was born and raised in Talladega, Alabama, the only son of Hugh and Katherine Brown, along with his two sisters, Kay and Trudy. Hugh’s father was a member of the Army’s last horse-drawn artillery.</p>
<p>
As a teenager, he was very active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, serving as its president for northern Alabama. Hugh also was active in high school sports: punting for the football team, playing on the tennis team, and receiving his varsity letters in each of these sports. He played cornet in the high school band, was president of Mu Alpha Theta fraternity, vice president of Hi-Y, a member of the honor society in mathematics (more about math later), and he participated in many other student activities. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.</p>
<p>
Hugh was raised with a strong belief in family, God and country. He became motivated at an early age to attend West Point and, following high school graduation, attended Columbian Prep School in Washington, DC for a year.</p>
<p>
At West Point, he was active in sports, including squash, tennis, golf and triathlon, and was a member of the Glee Club and Rocket Society.</p>
<p>
Each of us who knew Hugh developed a sincere respect for this fine southern gentleman. He was a quiet but cheerful friend. When his roommate needed help with PE boxing, John “Hosk” Hoskins (USMA ’66) took them to the gym. Hugh volunteered to step into the ring and serve as a punching bag. In return, he got some much-needed help with math. Obviously, he got the tougher end of the deal.</p>
<p>
Hugh got a lot of ribbing for being prematurely gray, but he took it with the best of humor. As a plebe, he had a little trouble explaining to the upperclassmen why he had to wear “long-handled underwear” to get through his first winter on the Hudson. He often used his t-shirt to polish his shoes. The next time he wore it, when (and if) it came back from the cadet laundry, he looked like a leopard or a dalmatian.</p>
<p>
Hugh volunteered for the Infantry and, following graduation, married his high school sweetheart, Shirley, and attended Airborne and Ranger schools at Fort Benning. He served as platoon leader in C Company, 1-10 Infantry, in the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado before volunteering for duty in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division. He was highly respected by his soldiers and fellow officers.</p>
<p>
Hugh arrived in-country on 3 July 1968 and became a platoon leader in C Company 1-16 Infantry<br />
in Binh Duong Province. On the afternoon of 20 July 1968, he led his first patrol as his company conducted a reconnaissance in force to destroy a Viet Cong base camp. When the patrol was engaged in a fire fight in the enemy bunker complex, he led the assault, running from bunker to bunker throwing hand grenades to protect his men. He was mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire and died within minutes on the field of battle. His company held a field memorial service to honor his memory. Hugh was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart.</p>
<p>
All who knew him in Talladega packed the First Methodist Church to pay their final respects. None of us who have been touched by his life have ever forgotten him.</p>
<p>
His son, Hugh Clark Brown, was born in November 1968 and graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University in 1991. He is a fine young man who keeps Hugh’s memory alive for his entire family.</p>
<p>
Hugh was as fine a roommate as a cadet ever had. I think of him often, certainly every time I hear a song that goes:</p>
<p>
<em>I'll speak my Southern English,</em></p>
<p>
<em>Just as natural as I please.</em></p>
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<em>Cause I’m in the heart of Dixie,</em></p>
<p>
<em>Dixie’s in the heart of me.</em></p>
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<em>Someday when I make it,</em></p>
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<em>I know God will find a way.</em></p>
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<em>Somewhere high on Lookout Mountain,</em></p>
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<em>I’ll just smile with pride and say:</em></p>
<p>
<em>My home's in Alabama </em></p>
<p>
<em>No matter where I lay my head </em></p>
<p>
<em>My home’s in Alabama </em></p>
<p>
<em>Southern born and southern bred.</em></p>
<p>
<em>Smitty, F-2</em></p>