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Contact Info
Home Town Canton, Pennsylvania
Last Address Home of Records: Middletown Maryland
Date of Passing Jun 10, 1963
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
John "Babe" Brown was in the Annapolis Naval Academy Graduating Class of 1914.
Commanding Officer of submarines USS C-2 (SS-13, Stingray) and USS G-4 (SS-26, Thrasher) in World War I, then N-5 and R-2 1919-1921, S-42 1924-1927 and Narwhal May 1930-May 1933. In October 1930, while Brown was in command of the USS V-5 submarine it set a U. S. Navy record by diving to a depth of 332 feet. He graduated from the Naval War College in 1940. Commanding Officer of the Richmond 1941-1942. Commander of Submarine Squadron Four June 1942-November 1943. Rear Admiral in January 1943.
He was assigned to SUBCOMPAC commander at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor during WWII. This was after Commander Rear Admiral Robert English was killed in a plane crash in January of 1943. Captain Brown took over the duties of Admiral English until a replacement could be found. He was relieved of his temporary command by Rear Admiral Charles Lockwood Jr. who was assigned to that command.
Brown remained on Lockwood's staff and before the war ended. Lockwood had him promoted to Rear Admiral. His commands were Sea of Japan patrols, Submarine Squadron Four. His other accomplishments included a training program, torpedo tests and orginization of wolf packs. Brown was a wonderful officer and worked endlessly to keep the war effort going.
He was the Commander of Submarine Training Command from 1943 to 1945 where he was instrumental in creating the Submarine Lifeguard League that rescued pilots that were shot down in combat during WW II. He became a Vice Admiral upon retirement in February 1954.
Other Comments:
Brown was born in Canton, Pennsylvania, in 1891. He attended the United States Military Academy where he played college football. He was selected as a consensus first-team guard on the 1913 College Football All-America Team. He accounted for all of Navy's points (two field goals) in a 6 to 0 victory in the 1913 Army–Navy Game.
He graduated in 1914 with the rank of ensign. Brown later served as president of the National Football Foundation and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. He was also selected in 1951 by a board of Navy football authorities as the greatest player in Navy football history.
Navy decorations included Distinguished Service Medals and Legion of Merit (twice). He was the founder of the Submarine Lifeguard League, formed in early 1943 until August 1945. In doing so, a total of 518 Airmen were rescued from a watery grave or certain capture by the enemy.
Awarded for distinguished actions in combat (valor)
Year Awarded 1945
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2016
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Legion of Merit Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Rear Admiral John Herbert Brown, Jr. (NSN: 0-8613), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Cruiser Division and a Task Force Commander operating in Northern Pacific Water during the period from May 1945 through the occupation of Northern Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan, on 9 September 1945. By his initiative, courage, and outstanding ability he kept his force of cruisers and destroyers operating safely and successfully in dangerous and incompletely charted waters, for extended periods of time, during extremely adverse weather and without cover from friendly aircraft. His force conducted four anti-shipping sweeps in enemy waters and seven bombardments of enemy territory, inflicting considerable damage on the enemy and his shipping. His cool and skillful direction of these actions and his gallant conduct throughout were a source of inspiration to his entire force and to other United States forces in the North Pacific area. His singularly outstanding service and highly meritorious performance of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Brown is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
Action Date: May 1945 - September 1945 Service: Navy Rank: Rear Admiral
