WHEREAS, 1st Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown, a native of Miami, Arizona, and resident of Richmond, CA, served honorably as the co-pilot of the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress, Danellen, during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Howard Brown moved to Richmond in 1940 from Hanford, CA, and became known for his skills in basketball, tennis, and music, even forming his own dance orchestra; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Howard Brown lived at 329 6th Street in Richmond, California, where he became an active member of the local community before enlisting in the U.S. military; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Howard Brown, the son of Bertha Punkoney Barron and stepson of Fred Westle Barron, enlisted in the U.S. military, where he stood six feet tall, with light brown hair, green eyes, and a strong passion for serving his country. Stationed at RAF Bassingbourn Airfield in Cambridgeshire, England, he participated in critical strategic bombing missions during WWII; and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 1942, during a daylight bombing raid over Nazi-occupied France, the Danellen was tragically shot down near the River Seine in Normandy. Despite Bruce Howard Brown's valiant efforts as co-pilot, the plane suffered catastrophic damage, crashing between Bernières-sur-Seine and the village of Tony. Bruce and several of his crew members perished in the crash, while one crew member survived, only to be taken prisoner shortly afterward; and
WHEREAS, the remains of Bruce Howard Brown and three of his fellow crew members were disinterred from unknown graves at the Normandy American Cemetery in 2019 and identified in 2023 through DNA comparisons at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Nebraska Laboratory, allowing him to be finally brought home to his family and honored for his ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, 1st Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown will be honored with a Memorial Service and Interment on October 25, 2024, at 11:15 a.m. at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038; and
Recognizing 1st Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is deeply proud of Bruce Howard Brown’s service and the legacy he leaves behind as a courageous airman who gave his life for freedom during one of the most pivotal moments in history.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the City Council of Richmond that we hereby declare October 25, 2024 as 1st Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown Day, honoring the life, service, and sacrifice of this brave Richmond resident. His contributions to our nation’s freedom will forever be remembered and cherished by the community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Richmond to be affixed this 15th Day of October, 2024.
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Mayor Eduardo Martinez
City of Richmond
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Council Member Soheila Bana
City of Richmond