De Peyster Brown

De Peyster Douw Brown DFC (December 1915 – 3 August 1991) was an American fighter pilot who volunteered to fly for the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II. He was one of 11 American[1] pilots who flew with Fighter Command between 10 July and 31 October 1940, thereby qualifying for the Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939–45 campaign star.[2]

De Peyster Douw Brown
BornDecember 1915
Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died3 August 1991 (aged 75)
Santa Maria, California, U.S.
AllegianceCanada
United States
Service/branchRoyal Canadian Air Force
United States Air Force
Years of service1940–1957
RankFlying Officer (RCAF)
Major (USAAF)
Service numberRCAF – C1094
USAAF – AO1699391
UnitNo. 1 Squadron RCAF
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

World War II

Brown joined the Royal Canadian Air Force[3] claiming to be of Canadian nationality on 9 September 1939[4] and was posted to No. 112 Squadron RCAF. On arrival in England he was sent to No. 5 OTU RAF Aston Down to convert to Hurricanes and then to No. 1 Squadron RCAF at RAF Northolt on 2 September 1940.

On 27 September 1940 he claimed a Dornier Do 17 destroyed and a shared Junkers Ju 88. On 5 October he was badly shot up in combat with Bf109's but nevertheless pursued one into cloud, being later credited with a 'damaged'. His own aircraft crashed on landing back at Northolt but he was uninjured.[5]

Brown transferred to the United States Army Air Forces on 25 May 1942. He was given the rank of lieutenant, later promoted captain, and held the rank of major when he retired. He remained in the service for 12 years after the end of World War II and after the war was involved with the Berlin Airlift and possibly served in Korea.[6]

Brown died in hospital in Santa Maria, California[7] in August 1991.[8]

See also

References
  1. Battle of Britain – Roll of Honour
  2. WW2 Awards – DePeyster Douw Brown
  3. http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=105008;article=15751;
  4. http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Br-pilots.htm#BrownDP
  5. "F/O D D Brown". Archived from the original on 25 June 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  6. http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=5887&forum=DCForumID6&archive=yes%5B%5D
  7. http://www.kindredkonnections.com/cgi-bin/ssdirslt?-1+0+000000+English+0-0+/sym/dbusa_ssdi/ssdib.dat+422151951
  8. http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=105008;article=17745;title=The%20Battle%20of%20Britain%20Historical%20Society%20Discussion%20Forum;pagemark=25
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