Frederic J. Brown III
U.S. Army lieutenant general]
Frederic J. Brown III (July 18, 1934 – May 15, 2024) was a United States Army officer. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he attained the rank of lieutenant general and was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and multiple awards of the Bronze Star Medal. Brown is best known for his service as Chief of Armor and Cavalry from 1983 to 1986 and command of Fourth United States Army from 1986 to 1989.
Early life
Frederic Joseph Brown III was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on July 18, 1934, the son of Lieutenant General Frederic J. Brown II (1905–1971) and Kathryn (Richardson) Brown (1903–1988). He attended schools on various United States Army bases and Western High School (Washington, D.C.), and is a graduate of Heidelberg High School.
Brown's parents were natives of South Dakota, and in 1952 Brown was appointed to the United States Military Academy (West Point) by Karl Mundt, one of South Dakota's U.S. Senators. He graduated from West Point in 1956 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Armor.
Start of career
After receiving his commission and completing his initial training, Brown served with 1st Battalion, 33rd Armor Regiment in West Germany from March 1957 to December 1959, including assignments as a platoon leader, battalion staff officer, and company commander. From December 1959 to June 1960, he studied French and German at the Army Language School. From June 1960 to June 1961, Brown attended the Armor Officer Career Course at Fort Knox.
“Frederic J. Brown III” enters the record as u.S. Army lieutenant general]. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Frederic, Brown and Army can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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