The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 30, 1944, page 1

PARATROOPER BROWN KILLED IN FRANCE ON INVASION DAY

     Private Robert Dyer Brown paratrooper, was killed June 6 in the invasion of France, stated a telegram received last week by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. D.W. Brown, of White Salmon.
     Robert was with Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley's reborn 82nd division. He was home six days in January and went overseas the first week of February of this year, and celebrated his 20th birthday in England.
     Paratrooper Brown leaves his parents and two sisters, Jean Byers, of Camas and Bebe Brown.
     The entire community extended its sympathy to the bereaved family.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 6, 1944, page 1

WHITE SALMON BOY IS KILLED IN INVASION

     Pvt.  Robert Dyer Brown, White Salmon, was killed in France June 6, according to word received by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. D.W. Brown, from the war department.
     He was a paratrooper, with Lt. Gen. Omar Bradleys' reborn 82nd. He celebrated his twentieth birthday April 5 in England. In January he spent six days at home visiting his family.
     Bebe Brown, White Salmon and Mrs. J.B. Byers, Camas, are his sisters.

The Dalles Optimist, The Dalles, OR., July 14, 1944, page 1

WHITE SALMON BOY IS KILLED IN FRANCE

     Private  Robert Dyer Brown, 20, son of Dr. and Mrs. B.M. Brown of White Salmon, was killed in the invasion landing on June 6, according to a war department message recieved by his parents.
     Private Brown was a paratrooper with General Omar N. Bradley's 82nd division. He was home on furlough last january and returned to England to await invasion day and his 20th birthday anniversary. He leaves his parents and two sisters, Miss Bebe Brown and Mrs. J.B. Byers of Camas.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., July 21, 1944, page 1

PURPLE HEART SENT TO PARENTS

     Dr. and Mrs. D.W. Brown, of this city, have received notification from the war department of the award of the Purple Heart to their son, Private Robert D. Brown, who was killed on June 6, the first day of the invasion of a Normandy. The "Purple Heart" award reads:
     "The United States of America,
     "To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:
     "This is to certify that the President of the United States of America pursuant to authority vested in him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart, established by General George Washington, at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782, to Private Robert D. Brown, A.S. No. 39333628, for Military Merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death June 6, 1944.
     "Given under my hand in the City of Washington, this 7th day of July, 1944.
     "Harry L. Stimson,
     "Sec. of War."

Accompanying the above was the following from the President:
     "In Grateful Memory of Private Robert D. Brown, A.S. No. 39333628, who died in the service of this country in the European area June 6, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings.
    "Freedom lives, and through it he lives -- in a way that humbles the understanding of most men.

"Franklin D. Roosevelt,
"President of the U.S. of America."

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., January 26, 1945, page 1

BOB BROWN KILLED ON LANDING FROM PARACHUTE
Parents Received Word from Wounded Buddy of the Son, Also from Nurse

     Dr. and Mrs. Ed W.D. Brown received a letter last week from a buddy paratrooper of their son, Paratrooper Robert Brown, who gave his life for his country on D-Day in Normandy. The buddy who wrote, who is still in the hospital in England, stated that he saw Paratrooper Brown killed as he drifted down to earth. "He said that Bob was killed instantly by the Germans."
     The Browns also have received word from a nurse who sent home Bob's belongings and who told them how much they all thought of the White Salmon paratrooper. She praised Bob very highly and said that all his buddies thought very much of him and all mourned his loss.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 24, 1945, page 1

MEMORIAL SERVICES TO BE HELD HERE
Thomas D. Potwin, Editor Of Yakima Herald, Will Speak At Morning Program At 10:30 In High School Auditorium

     Memorial services will be held in Goldendale Memorial Day, Wednesday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the high school auditorium. As in the past, the program and services are in charge of Louis Leidl Post No. 116, American Legion. Thomas D. Potwin, editor of the Yakima Herald will deliver the message at the high school. Potwin is said to be an able speaker, and the largest crowd ever to attend Memorial services is expected to turn out to hear the Yakima editor.
     Following the program at the high school, members of the Legion will hold a brief ceremony at the graves of veterans of both World War I and II. A firing squad will fire a salute in recognition of their departed comrades.
     E.C. Kaiser, commander of the American Legion, invites and urges all residents to join in the services, which will pay tribute to the men who have lost their lives in both wars.
     Following is a list of men from this county who paid the supreme sacrifice in World War II: E.C. Allison, Wm. Becker, Fred Berrong, Marion Bolio, Homer Bilyeu, Jim Brashear, Robert Brown, Chas. Byrkett, David Cochran, Paul Cochran, John Dickey, Francis Ford, Alvin Ganguin, Don Heuton, John Hunsaker, Robert Hutchins, Harry Jones, Harold Lehman, Philip Lynch, Chas. Lowers, Dan Roe, Oren Sanders, George Shurtz, Harry Smith, Marion Scheel, Eugene White, Thomas Tradewell, Jim Trowbridge, Edward Thege and David Woodruff.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 13, 1948, page 1

FUNERAL SET FOR WAR DEAD, HOME FROM OVERSEAS

     The first of Klickitat county's war dead to be repatriated for interment is Pvt. Robert Dyer Brown, son of Dr. and Mrs. D.W. Brown, of White Salmon.
     Last rites for the war hero will be held Friday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at White Salmon, with the Rev. Father Hamilton, of Goldendale, officiating. Interment will be in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
     The youth was 20 years old at the time he died in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was a paratrooper with Maj. Gen. Omar Bradley's 82nd Airborne Division.
     He leaves the parents and two sisters, Mrs. J.B. Byers, of White Salmon, and Mrs. C.E. Vaneck, of Hood River, Oregon.

[HOME]
©  Jeffrey L. Elmer