US Navy FN Ernest James Brown, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Wilmington, NC.
US Navy Fireman Ernest James Brown was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Navy, FN Brown served our country until March 25th, 1970 in Vinh Binh, South Vietnam. He was 20 years old and was married. It was reported that Ernest was accidently killed by a fellow sailor. FN Brown is on panel 12W, line 041 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
A Graduate of Hoggard High School and a prior alumni of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC, he was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. Ernie and Anita were inseparable as a couple. SYNOPSIS: FN2 Brown was preparing for Guard Mount. A fellow Sailor came into the hooch and picked up Ernie's weapon thinking it was unloaded, and shot Ernie through the heart. Ernie died almost immediately. Jim Reece.
When God created Ernie, he through away the mold. There will never be another man as kind, tender hearted, down to earth, sincere, loving, and just a great all american guy who loved baseball, working on his car, racing and spending time with his wife and friends. I will never meet anyone else like him and have I am not searching. No one will ever fill that void. The only peace I have in my heart today is the love of God. He is the one who helped me through this tragedy. Anita LeGwin, his wife.
I was only 19 years old when Ernie was killed and it devastated my whole life. He was my first and only experience of the purest kind of love. I felt my life died when I buried him. Though this was a horrific experience for me to go through, I feel blessed because God allowed me the wonderful experience of truly loving Ernie. My heart goes out to the thousands of people who have lost loved ones of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. It is a pain that no one can explain and each person goes through in their own way. If I could advise them I would say, don't rush the process. No one can tell you how to go through grief, so go at your own pace and call on God, He will see us all through everything. I will always treasure the memories of Ernie and the laughter and love we had.
We lived on pork and beans and canned biscuits while he was in engineering school in the Great Lakes, but we were as happy as "two peas in a pod." In my 1968 high school annual he wrote to me, "Anita, I knew the first time we dated you were the one for me and if one of us should ever leave the other, I know one of us will die." Oddly and sadly enough that came true. I pray for all who lost loved ones in this "tragic worthless war." I thank God for placing Ernie in my life and shall hold him close forever. I love you Ernie and I know I'll see you when it is my time to go home. God Bless us all! Anita LeGwin, his wife.
Anita LeGwin, Widow, Wilmington NC, Ernie was the most kindest, sweetest, good hearted person I've ever known. I know this because I was blessed to be his wife. Though we only had a short time together, the love we shared was a bond that could never be broken. Friends of Ernie''s said you''d never meet a nicer guy. He loved working on cars, racing them, playing baseball and when he got to Viet Nam he enjoyed chewing tobacco. I use to send him boxes on Red Man Chewing Tobacco. When he was killed I thought for many years I had died with him. My heart had been torn out. Through many years of healing I have learned to be thankful for the time we had together and the purest love I've ever experienced. I guess I just want anyone to know that this "boy" who was taken away too early in his life was a true blue all American guy. God received a special angel on March 25, 1970.
He served with Tactical Force-116, River Division-55, US Naval Forces Vietnam.
He was awarded The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Burial:
Oleander Memorial Gardens
Wilmington
New Hanover County
North Carolina, USA
Created by: Tom Reece
Record added: Dec 01, 2006
Find A Grave Memorial# 16873861
Added by: Tom Reece
Added by: Tom Reece
Added by: Tom Reece
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- Edna
Added: Aug. 31, 2010
Thank you for your bravery, courage and dedication
- Raven
Added: Nov. 22, 2009
Thank you for your service.
- Brenda Lee
Added: Nov. 21, 2009
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