Wilson Brown (admiral)

Admiral Wilson Brown, Jr. (born in Philadelphia, 1881; died in Waterford, CO, 1957) served on the staff of Admiral William S. Sims in London and commanded the destroyer Parker during World War I. He completed the Naval War College course in 1921 and during the next 20 years served as the executive officer of the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45), aide to Presidents Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, Commanding Officer of the New London Submarine Base, Commanding Officer of the battleship USS California, Chief of Staff of the Naval War College, Commander of the Training Squadron Scouting Force (Atlantic Fleet) and Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

On February 1st, 1941 he assumed duty as Commander Scouting Force (Pacific Fleet) with the rank of Vice Admiral. (from History of U.S. Naval Operations in World War II by Samuel Eliot Morison). From his flagship the U.S.S. Indianapolis, leading a force which included the USS Lexington, Brown led an aborted carrier strike against Rabaul in February and, with the USS Yorktown, a successful attack against Lae and Salamaua in Papua New Guinea. Admiral Ernest King ordered Rear Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch to relieve Wilson Brown on April 1st; possibly reasons of health of Brown were a prime consideration of King’s.

Brown served throughout the war as Naval Aide to President Roosevelt and Harry Truman before retiring in 1945.

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote the following upon hearing of Brown's death in 1957:

"I was saddened to read in the paper of Vice Admiral Wilson Brown's death. He was with my husband for a long time and my husband was very fond of him."

"He retired in 1945 and lived in Waterford, Conn., where I had the pleasure of visiting Mrs. Brown and the Admiral some years ago. He certainly had an active and interesting career and was highly valued by everyone with whom he served."

"It must be a consolation when the evening of life draws near to look back on so many accomplishments, and I know Admiral Brown enjoyed his home in Waterford and was a valued member of that community."

"To preserve the love of family and friends, and the respect and admiration of those with whom one has worked, is to end a life of service in this world with flags flying and a sense of a complete life."