Walter William Brown – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report

Walter William Brown, 62, a retired budget officer with the Defense Department, died of cardiac arrest April 23, 1999 at Washington Hospital Center, after heart and foot surgery.

He lived in Brandywine.

Colonel Brown was a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a graduate of Morgan State University. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Chapman University in California.

Colonel Brown served 17 years in the Army. He was on active duty in France, Belgium and Vietnam and retired as a lieutenant colonel in the reserve in 1983. His honors included two Bronze Stars, a Joint Services Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He also received the defense secretary’s Medal for Meritorious Service.

Colonel Brown was a computer analyst and programmer for the Army at Fort Lee, Virginia, and then worked for the Navy as a computer specialist and director of information management resources at Warfare Systems Command.

He became the plans and oversight branch chief of the Naval Information Management Command in 1990 and later worked for the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.

He retired from Defense after working for the assistant secretary for control, communications and intelligence.

Colonel Brown was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha social fraternity, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was deputy grand master of his Masonic district.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Maxine Gillespie Brown of Brandywine, and their daughter, Belinda Brown Jackson of Silver Spring; a daughter, Kim Denise Brown of Raleigh, N.C.; three sisters; and four grandchildren.

BROWN, WALTER WILLIAM, Lt Col USA (Ret.)

Suddenly on Friday, April 23, 1999, at the Washington Hospital Center. The beloved husband of Maxine G. Brown; father of Belinda Brown Jackson and Kim D. Brown; grandfather of Brian, Shannon, Jessica and Kiara; brother of Betty Goddard, Irma Brown, Kay McNeil and the late Newton Brown. He is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Marie and Cerious Gillespie; his son-in-law, Gavin E. Jackson; three sisters-in-law, Maxine Brown, Arlene McKeithan and Estella Gillespie; two brothers-in-law, Cerious Gillespie, Jr. and Sylvester McKeithan, Jr.; other relatives and many cherished friends. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Union Bethel AME Church, 6810 Floral Park Rd., Brandywine, MD where Homegoing service will be held on Tuesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright, Pastor. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. The family suggests In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Peter Hassell Council #6, Order of Knights of Pythagoras, sponsored by Prince Hall Masons, 1306 Eastwood Dr., Forestville, MD 20747. This organization is dedicated to the guidance of young boys and men as they journey along their path to responsible and productive adulthood.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard