Francis Brown
Petty Officer Third Class, U.S. Navy

On 8 June 1967, Quartermaster Petty Officer Third Class Francis Brown was serving on the U.S.S. Liberty (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean.

On that date, during the early afternoon hours, the U.S.S. Liberty was attacked without warning by Israeli jet fighter aircraft and 3 motor torpedo boats. Subjected to intense incendiary, machine-gun, and rocket fire, and placed in extreme jeopardy by a torpedo hit below the waterline on the starboard side, the U.S.S. Liberty sustained numerous personnel casualties and severe structural damage. Serving as Quartermaster, PO3 Brown was on the bridge during the initial phase of the air attack. When the helmsman became incapacitated, PO3 Brown exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine-gun fire while assuming the helmsman's duties. Steadfastly maintaining the ordered course while many men in his immediate proximity received serious and fatal injuries, PO3 Brown remained at his post until felled by strafing fire from the torpedo boats at the moment the torpedo struck the ship. PO3 Brown's courage and composure under fire that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Navy's second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross.

Medals and Awards (Partial List)

Navy Cross
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Quartermaster Third Class Francis Brown (NSN: 7787670), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with an armed attack on the U.S.S. LIBERTY (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean, on 8 June 1967. During the early afternoon hours, the U.S.S. LIBERTY was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and three motor torpedo boats. Subjected to intense incendiary, machine-gun, and rocket fire, and placed in extreme jeopardy by a torpedo hit below the waterline on the starboard side, the U.S.S. LIBERTY sustained numerous personnel casualties and severe structural damage. Serving as Quartermaster, Petty Officer Brown was on the bridge during the initial phase of the air attack. When the helmsman became incapacitated, Petty Officer Brown fearlessly exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine-gun fire while assuming the helmsman's duties. He steadfastly maintained the ordered course while many men in the immediate proximity received serious and fatal injuries, remaining on his post until felled by strafing fire from the torpedo boats at the moment the torpedo struck the ship. By his aggressiveness, composure under fire, and courageous actions, Petty Officer Brown upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Petty Officer Third Class Francis Brown is buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Troy, Rensselaer County, NY, in Section E.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96083160/francis-brown