Gilbert Lawrence Brown was born on June 24, 1918, in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the son of Robert Donier Brown and Effa Genoa Thompson Brown.
Gilbert served in the 850th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Co-Pilot on the B-17G #43-38575 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on March 21, 1945, when his airplane was shot down by a ME262 aircraft and crashed near Elsterwerda, Germany. All men aboard were killed except SSgt Gilbert Wright, who was taken as a prisoner.
1Lt Brown is now buried in the Larned Cemetery, Larned, Pawnee County, Kansas, USA.
Airmen who perished were:
1Lt Herman Ballard - Pilot
1Lt Gilbert Brown - Co-Pilot
Cpl Henry Bennett - Right Waist Gunner
SSgt Alfred Cole - Tail Gunner
SSgt James Huddy - Bombardier
TSgt Albert Jenkins - Top Turret Gunner
2Lt George Kumm - Navigator
SSgt James Price - Ball Turret Gunner
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com, honorstates.org