Brown, Melvin Louis

Born and raised in Mahafi, PA. One in ten children of Edward D. and Childbirth W. Jones Brown ^{[1] [2]} . He was fond of skiing, skating, swimming and fishing ^[1] . He worked as a mechanic before being expelled from high school. In October 1948, at the age of 17, he joined the army ^{[1] [3]} . He was inspired by the example of his elder brother David, who chose a military career and was in Japan. Brown's other two brothers also served in the army. Melvin was sent to Japan, where he stayed for 18 months, until in July 1950 he was sent to Korea in the first weeks of the Korean War ^[1] .

In Korea, Brown served as the rank and file first in Company D of the 8th Engineer Combat Battalion. On September 4, 1950, his platoon climbed to the top of Mount Ka-san and then underwent an enemy attack. Brown took up a position against the wall and, despite his wound and lack of ammunition, held his position during the battle. The enemy attack was repelled. The next day, Brown was reported missing. ^[4]

In October, his family received a telegram saying that he was missing. On January 6, 1951, four months after the battle, an army representative appeared to his parents and informed them that Melvin was declared dead. In the same month, parents and some of his brothers attended the White House Honor Ceremony. President Harry Truman handed the Brown family a Medal of Honor , owned by their son ^[1] .

Melvin was buried in the Manafi cemetery in the sight of his house ^[1] .

Several places were named after him including the Korean War Memorial Park in Fort Hood , Texas, Camp Howze Parade Square, South Korea, the Army Engineering School building at Fort Leonard Hood Military Base, Missouri , a post for organizing foreign war veterans at Manafi, Army Reserve Center in Clearfield, PA. On February 26, the army command opened a new vehicle maintenance station with an area of ​​2.4 thousand m2 at the base of Camp Carroll Army, South Korea. The station was named after Brown because he was an engineer and since Camp Carroll is located near Mount Ca-san ^[1] . The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by his sister Sylvia Brown Rich. ^[2] An explosive bombing area in Fort Benning, Georgia was also named after him (In the 1980s, the sapper department conducted continuous training at various schools, such as the Ranger Training Brigade, Officer Training School, School of the Americas, and ROTC).

The city of Manafi celebrated the first day of Melvin Brown on June 21, 2006. The bridge across the western channel of the Saskatchewan River was renamed the “Private Brown Memorial Bridge” on the same day a monument was opened to Brown in front of the city’s Volunteer Fire Society building ^[2] . Brown's second day was celebrated in June 2009 ^[3] .

Rank and unit: Private of the first class of the U.S. Army Company D of the 8th Combat Engineer Battalion

Location and date: near Ka-san, Korea, September 4, 1950

Joined: Erie , PA. Birthplace: Manafi, PA

GO No .: 11, February 16, 1951

Record

Private Brown from Company D distinguished himself with prominent valor and courage, performing his duty in battle with the enemy. When his platoon cleared a height of 755 (a fortified city), the enemy, using heavy automatic and light small arms, launched a counterattack. Holding a position on a wall 15 meters high, he met the enemy with dense fire from a rifle. His ammunition soon went out and, despite being wounded, he remained at his post and threw his several grenades at the enemy, inflicting heavy losses on him. When his grenades ran out, comrades from neighboring shelters threw their own at him and he left his position and, under a hail of enemy fire, collected grenades and threw them at the enemy. The enemy continued to storm his position and Private Brown, left without a weapon, pulled out a sapper blade from his backpack and calmly waited until the enemy soldiers peered out from behind the wall one by one, after which he struck a blow on their heads. Thus, he threw 10 or 12 enemies off the wall, his impudent actions were so inspired by the platoon that they repulsed the enemy attack and maintained their position. With his exceptional heroism, valor and courage, Private Brown earned the highest honor and supported the centuries-old traditions of military service. According to reports, he went missing in action and was officially recognized dead in action on September 5, 1950.

Original text

Rank and organization: Private First Class, US Army, Company D, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion

Place and date: Near Kasan, Korea, September 4, 1950

Entered service at: Erie, Pennsylvania Birth: Mahaffey, Pennsylvania

GO No .: 11, February 16, 1951.

Citation

Pfc. Brown, Company D distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his platoon was securing Hill 755 (the Walled City), the enemy, using heavy automatic weapons and small arms, counterattacked. Taking a position on a 50-foot (15 m) -high wall he delivered heavy rifle fire on the enemy. His ammunition was soon expended and although wounded, he remained at his post and threw his few grenades into the attackers causing many casualties. When his supply of grenades was exhausted his comrades from nearby foxholes tossed others to him and he left his position, braving a hail of fire, to retrieve and throw them at the enemy. The attackers continued to assault his position and Pfc. Brown weaponless, drew his entrenching tool from his pack and calmly waited until they 1 by 1 peered over the wall, delivering each a crushing blow upon the head. Knocking 10 or 12 enemy from the wall, his daring action so inspired his platoon that they repelled the attack and held their position. Pfc. Brown's extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and was in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service. Reportedly missing in action and officially killed in action, September 5, 1950

- ^[4]

•   Medal of Honor
•   Purple Heart Medal
•   Medal "For Impeccable Service"
•   National Defense Service Medal
•   Medal "For Service in Korea"
•   Medal "For UN Service in Korea"