Robert Alva Brown II
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 20 September 1968, Sergeant Alva Brown II was serving with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SGT Brown was a squad leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Cu Chi when his patrol received intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an enemy force occupying well-concealed bunkers. SGT Brown moved through the bullet-swept area, directing his troops' fire and resupplying them with ammunition. Locating the position that was directing the greatest volume of automatic weapons fire on his element, he maneuvered his men forward in an attempt to flank the hostile bunker. He then single-handedly assaulted the bunker with grenades and destroyed it. Exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, SGT Brown continued to advance. As he attacked a second stronghold, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. SGT Brown's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
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 Sergeant Robert Alva Brown, II (ASN: US-54402608), 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 D, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Brown distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 September 1968 while serving as a squad leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Cu Chi. His patrol suddenly received intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from an enemy force occupying well concealed bunkers. Sergeant Brown moved without hesitation through the bullet-swept area, directing his troops' fire and resupplying them with ammunition. Locating the position which was directing the greatest volume of automatic weapons fire on his element, he maneuvered his men forward in an attempt to flank the hostile fortification. He then single-handedly assaulted the bunker with grenades and succeeded in destroying it. Exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Sergeant Brown continued to advance. As he attacked a second stronghold, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Sergeant 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. 5331 (November 17, 1968)

Honors

The name Robert A Brown II is located on Panel W43 Line 45 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant Alva Brown II is buried at Desert View Cemetery in Winslow, Navajo County, AZ.