Edward Blase Brown was born in Fort Benton, Montana, on February 17, 1918. He attended both grade and high school there, graduating in the spring of 1936. He then entered the state university at Missoula, Montana, where he graduated in business administration in the spring of 1940. Returning to his city, he accepted the position of bookkeeper at the Missouri River Lumber Company, a position he held for 14 months. He then went to San Francisco where he accepted a position in the accounting department of the Southern Pacific Railroad and remained there until he entered the service of his country.

Lieut. Brown enlisted in March 1942 and received his call for active service on August 21, 1942. He received his primary training at Muskogee, Oklahoma, and then was assigned to Coffeyville, Kansas, for further training. Later he was moved to Altus, Oklahoma, and there received his commission and "wings" on June 26, 1943. For a time he was stationed at Pyote, Texas, and completed his training as a pilot at Dalhart, Texas.

Edward was assigned for overseas service in England and left on October 28, 1943, by ship serving continuously until killed in action. He served in the 549th Bomber Squadron, 385th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of the B-17 #42-37963. On February 21, 1944, bombers were returning to the 385th Bomber Group's base at Great Ashfield, England, from a raid on targets in Germany. The pilot lost control of the plane in the clouds. He collided with another aircraft (B-17 #42-31370) in the formation; a bomber from the 550th Bomb Squadron. Both aircraft crashed into the marshes at Reedham, and all of the crew members of both airplanes were killed.

2Lt Brown is now buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Benton, Chouteau County, Montana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com