Honoring. Lt. Earle Browne on his birthday, KIA Vietnam, Silver Star

Today would be the 70^th birthday of Army

Lieutenant Earle Browne

Lieutenant Earl Frederick Browne, who was killed in action in Vietnam on March 28, 1969. He was an adviser to a South Vietnamese military unit whose base was overrun by the Vietcong. He was awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry during the engagement.

Lt. Browne, 24, was married and the father of a young son. He is buried at Oak Lawn Memorial Park, Del Rio, Texas. Following is his Silver Star citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Earl Frederick Browne (ASN: 0-5351175), United States Army, for gallantry in action. First Lieutenant Browne distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 28 March 1969 while serving as Assistant Senior Advisor, Mobile Advisory Team, III Corps Tactical Zone, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. On that date the operational base of Binh Long Popular Force Platoon #6 was subjected to a heavy barrage of enemy rifle-propelled grenade fire. Discovering the radio to be inoperative, Lieutenant Browne fearlessly deployed himself and two other members of his team in strategic locations outside the bunker area, exposing himself to the intense enemy barrage laid down and laid down an accurate base of suppressive fire which allowed the team leader to reach a secondary radio location. A short time later the team leader was wounded. Lieutenant Browne immediately took command and began skillfully adjusting the return fire of the team sixty millimeter mortar while simultaneously directing suppressive small arms against the onrushing Viet Cong. At the peak of the attack, Lieutenant Browne was wounded by an exploding rifle-propelled grenade round, and, although refusing medical aid, was moved inside the command bunker where he still continued to give visual adjustments for the mortar and returned small arms fire against the approaching enemy soldiers. He finally allowed himself to be treated by the team Medical Aidman. He then ordered the remaining members of the team to withdraw to a more secure location while he provided covering fire for their maneuver. Moments later, the command bunker was assaulted and overrun by the Viet Cong force. First Lieutenant Browne's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.