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name
BROWN, Calvin Dickie - Date of
birth
29 August 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina -
Hometown
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14176830 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Scout -
Unit
G Company,
2nd Battalion,
397th Infantry Regiment,
100th Infantry Division,
3rd Platoon
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 December 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Bitche, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 36 | 31 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Paul J. Brown Sr. (father)
Frankie P. (Byrum) Brown (mother)
Nancy R. Brown (sister)
Paul J. Brown Jr. (brother)
Robert O. Brown (brother)
William F. Brown (brother)
Joseph O. Brown (brother)
Elbert Brown (brother)
More information
On 17 December 1944 Pfc Calvin Brown's squad was on a patrol to gather information and report back to Company CP. They came down a small incline and the first scout stopped behind the only tree in the immediate neighbourhood. There was a small clear space ahead of him. He glanced back and Pfc Brown shook his head from side to side in a negative signal. The first scout lowered his head, leapt forward and dashed across the clear space ahead. As he dropped his head, he heard the sharp pop of a bullet going past his helmet and heard a simultaneous thud. The scout looked back and saw Pfc Brown lying face down in the dirt. The scout ran back, dropped to the ground and placed the right arm of Pfc Brown over his shoulder, it was inert and lifeless. Pfc Brown was killed by a German bullet. At that moment, all hell broke loose and the squad had to leave the body of Pfc Brown behind.For this action he was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously.
Source of information: FOHF, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / Mecklenburg County North Carolina Birth Index, 'Regiment of the Century: The Story of the 397th Infantry Regiment'
Photo source: The Charlote Observer 13 November 1945