Lt JR Brown, seaplane pilot, USS Louisville

[keith A]

Possibly a detachment commander of VCS-4. Does anyone know more of his career. He was in an air fight in the Aleutians in 1942. Awarded the Air Medal when he and his wingman Lt GC Duncan fought off a Rufe fighter-floatplane.

best regards

Keith

[R Leonard]

John Rousseau Brown (081130)
ENS USN NAS Pensacola attached for HTA flight training 12 Aug 1940
ENS USN NAS Pensacola designated NA # 7139 13 Sep 1941
ENS USN VCS-4 USS Louisville (CA-28) 23 Mar 1941
LTJG USN Date of rank from 1 Jul 1941 USN Register 2 Jun 1941
LTJG USN VCS-4 USS Louisville (CA-28) 2 Jun 1941
LT USN Date of rank from 1 Jul 1942 USN Register 15 Jun 1942
LT USN VCS-4 USS Louisville (CA-28) 15 Jun 1942
LT USN VCS-4 USS Louisville (CA-28) WIA 7 Aug 1942
LT USN VF OTU-4 inst NAS Miami 15 Aug 1943
LCDR USN Date of rank from 1 Jul 1944 USN Register 1 Mar 1944
LCDR USN VF OTU-4 inst NAS Miami 1 Mar 1944
LCDR USN VF-89 (CO) NAAS Oceana 2 Jan 1945
LCDR USN VF-89 (CO) NAS Norfolk 1 May 1945
LCDR USN VF-89 (CO) USS Antietam (CV-36) 1 Sep 1945

[keith A]

As usual Mr Leonard, my thanks

[keith A]

Annapolis '38 I believe.

[R Leonard]

Yes, same class as my father.

[twocee]

When VF89 was commissioned on 2 October 1944, its C.O. was Cdr. R.W. Vogel. At that time it flew F4Us. In December 1944 F6Fs began arriving and, on 2 January 1945, the squadron was split, with Vogel taking the F4Us with him to the new VBF89, while the F6Fs remained with VF89. Presumably Brown took over the latter.

It is noteworthy that he was given command of a fighter squadron despite having little combat experience, none of it in fighters, but he did have the advantage of being an Annapolis graduate.

[keith A]

Do we know how serious his wound (on 7 August 1942) was? I believe as the senior Lieutenant he was the detachment commander on USS Louisville. If he was incapacitated it would probably mean Lt George Duncan (Annapolis '39) took over command.

best regards

Keith

[twocee]

Apparently he was hit by shrapnel in the right foot while on a scouting mission during the bombardment of Kiska. I should think that he was treated aboard the cruiser and remained as detachment commander.

[keith A]

Cheers George. He must have left the Louisville soon after because he is not on the ship in the Solomons in early '43. I wonder why there's a gap in his records until August 1943? Perhaps he falls ill? I note also he is still a Lieutenant until early 1944 so I assume his removal from active service was slowing his progression?


best regards

Keith