Joel Andrew Brown
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 10 March 1967, Private First Class Joel Andrew Brown was serving with Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Brown was serving as machine gunner on an armored personnel carrier near Prek Klok. Late at night, PFC Brown's base camp came under heavy ground and mortar attack from a numerically-superior Viet Cong force. He placed accurate fire on the enemy until thrown from the carrier by the explosion of a rocket round. Badly shaken, he moved through enemy fire to carry an unconscious comrade to safety and then returned to the line. As the attack intensified, PFC Brown detected an enemy rocket position and directed fire upon it, destroying it. Although he was blown from the carrier by another rocket round and wounded, he maintained his lethal fire in support of his unit's now-mounting counteroffensive. As his unit directed its counterattack, PFC Brown continued to inflict heavy casualties upon the enemy until a third rocket round hit his carrier's turret, mortally wounding him. His courageous actions inspired his comrades to fight with renewed dedication and defeat the insurgent attackers. PFC Brown's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joel Andrew Brown (ASN: US-51577419), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Brown distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 March 1967 while serving as machine gunner on an armored personnel carrier near Prek Klok. Late at night, Private Brown's base camp came under heavy ground and mortar attack from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. He continuously placed deadly accurate fire on the enemy until thrown from the carrier by the explosion of a rocket round. Badly shaken, he braved withering fire to carry an unconscious comrade to safety and once again returned to the line. As the attack intensified, Private Brown detected an enemy rocket position and directed effective fire upon it, knocking it out. Blown from the carrier by a second rocket round and seriously wounded, he continued to ignore his personal safety and maintained his lethal fire in support of his unit's now mounting counteroffensive. As his unit directed its counterattack, Private Brown continued to inflict heavy casualties upon the enemy until a third rocket round hit his carrier's turret mortally wounding him. His determination to defeat the enemy and his dauntless courage inspired his comrades to fight with renewed dedication and defeat the insurgent attackers. Private First Class Brown's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4431 (August 30, 1967)

Honors

The name Joel A Brown is located on Panel 16E Line 51 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class Joel Andrew Brown is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, Erie County, NY.