Born: October 13, 1903 Major (Chaplain), United States Army Air Forces Service #O-020862
SENIOR CHAPLAIN UNIT, FAR EAST AIR FORCE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Home or Place of Enlistment: Gooding County, Idaho Date of Loss: January 31, 1945
Ralph W. Brown was captured by Imperial Japan while serving in the Philippine Islands, and was sent to Pine Tree Camp (Fukuoka #1) near Kashii, Japan where 2,647 other American POWs were held. Ralph's capture was first reported to the International Committee of the Red Cross on May 7, 1942, and the last report was made on January 31, 1945. Based on these two reports, Ralph was imprisoned for at least 1,000 days (2 years and ~10 months), one of the longest durations of captivity recorded, and he died as a prisoner of war.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS CITATION
For extraordinary heroism in action at Clark Field, Fort Stotsenburg, Pampanga, Philippine Islands, on December 8, 1941. While an intensive and sustained aerial bombardment and strafing attack were inflicting heavy casualties on personnel at his station, Chaplain Brown, under severe fire and without consideration of his own safety, drove in his personal automobile through the area being attacked, collecting wounded, administering first aid and transporting casualties to the Ft. Stotsenburg Hospital. In spite of enemy attacks recurring at short intervals, this officer made no fewer than six such trips, each with a full load of such casualties, in imminent danger from enemy bombardment and machine gunning. His actions beyond the reasonable demand of his duty, saved many of the wounded from death or further mutilation. Chaplain Brown’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
By Command of General MacArthur; R. K. Southerland Maj. Gen., GSC., Chief of Staff Dated Jan 31, 1942 Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 18 (1942)
BRONZE STAR MEDAL CITATION (POSTHUMOUS)
Chaplain (Major) Ralph W. D. Brown, rendered meritorious service, from 9 to 12 January, 1945, while a prisoner of war aboard a Japanese Ship enroute from the Philippines to Japan when the ship was attacked by planes with consequent death and injury to his fellow prisoners. He ministered final rites to the dying, and first aid to the wounded. After confinement in the hold for three days amidst the carnage wrought by the attack, he took a leading part in cleaning the wreckage and bodies of the dead, and with characteristic assurance, maintained hope among the survivors.