Henry W Brown was the highest scoring Ace of the 355th Fighter Group and its second most decorated pilot. He joined the 355th in November 1943 and became an Ace in April 1944, during a mission where he claimed three aerial victories and saved two Mustangs by disrupting a formation of BF 109s on their tail, despite his lack of ammo. In October 1944 Brown made a forced landing behind enemy lines, his commanding Officer Chuck Lenfest landed his P-51 Mustang in an attempt to save Brown, but his aircraft became bogged down in soft ground and both were taken prisoner of war.



Following the War, Brown stayed with the US Air Force, he was appointed head of the F-111 program at Nellis Air Force Base in 1967, and later commanded the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. In Vietnam he was appointed deputy Director of Operations for the 7th Air Force. He retired as Colonel in 1972.



Flight C. O. with 354th FS/ Shot down on 3 Oct 44 after being hit by flak, belly landed; hid in trees but did not see fellow fighter pilot that landed to pick him up. Taken Prisoner of War (POW) on 3 Oct 44, till end of war. His Plane had no name painted on it but was to have been 'The Hun Hunter Texas' same name as his original plane.



Awards: DSC, DFC (4OLC), SS, AM (18 OLC), Croix de Guerre, PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME (4 x Battle Stars).



14.2 Aerial (+3 damaged), 14.5 Ground (+10 damaged)