LT JAMES B. BROWN, JR., USN
Lucky Bag Yearbook
From the 1973 Lucky Bag:
James Bradley Brown, Jr.
Loss
James was lost on November 28, 1979 when the EA-6B Prowler he was aboard crashed into the Indian Ocean during a training flight. He was a member of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, operating from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).
Other Information
From Life on the Kitty Hawk:
28 Nov 1979: Kitty Hawk arrived in the vicinity of Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. NL 626, an EA-6B (BuNo 158541), CDR Peter T. Rodrick, squadron CO, LCDR William J. Coffey, LT James B. Brown, Jr., and LT(JG) John R. Chorey, VAQ-135, launched for a scheduled electronic support measures (ESM) mission, at 1324, at 07º33’S, 073º19’E. Kitty Hawk was under EMCON A conditions, which prohibited electronic emissions from either the ship or the Prowler. Within two minutes the Prowler passed close abeam of guided missile cruiser Jouett (CG-29), about eight nautical miles ahead of the carrier. The EA-6B suddenly executed a “near vertical climbing turn,” partial cloud cover obscuring further observation of the aircraft, though it is surmised that the crew was practicing a “low level ingress tactic.” Though not verified, it is believed the Prowler impacted the water at approximately 13 miles off the port beam of Kitty Hawk, 63 nautical miles from Diego Garcia, at 1505. Despite determined efforts by two SH-3Hs from the carrier and a Lockheed P-3 Orion from Diego Garcia, none of the men were recovered.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
President Carter had demanded that the 49 remaining American hostages from the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran be set free unharmed. His order on November 20 sent the 81,000-ton carrier Kitty Hawk and its 85 planes from the Philippines to the Indian Ocean. The carrier hurriedly left the Philippines with a cruiser-destroyer-frigate escort in clear connection with the Iranian crisis and entered the Indian Ocean over the weekend.
After abandoning its search for James’ electronic aircraft, the Kitty Hawk continued westward across the Indian Ocean toward the Arabian Sea. Pentagon officials declined to say exactly where the Kitty Hawk was or where it was headed.
James graduated in 1969 from North Kingston High School in Rhode Island. “Wit makes its own welcome and levels all distinctions.” Activities: Baseball 10, 11, 12; Cross Country 11, 12; Homeroom Representative 11, 12; Class Play 11, 12; Yearbook 12.
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
Related Articles
Peter Rodrick ‘64 was also lost in this crash.
James is one of 9 members of the Class of 1973 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
