★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
Lt. Melvin Brown '70, USN was lost on August 23, 1979, when he crashed near Tonopah (Nevada) Test Range airfield. He was piloting a Soviet MiG-17F that belonged to the Air Force's 4477th Test and Evaluation Flight, though he was a member of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 4.
From the Class of 1970 40th Reunion Book:
Melvin Hugh Brown came to USNA from Roanoke, Virginia. His dad was a 30-year CPO, so Hugh knew what to expect at USNA. He adapted effortlessly, or so it appeared to the rest of us. He always seemed bemused by what was going on around him, even when doing pushups into a pool of sweat. Hugh was a gifted athlete, laconic and kind, irresistible to women (a great dancer), and always gracious.
Before flight school, Hugh went to Eglin AFB, and met Linda, a 19-year old girl even more charming than he. In September 1972, several of us attended his wedding in Virginia. On his second shore duty tour in San Diego, he and Linda were joined by Brady and Brian. Hugh loved being a father – even changed his name tag to “Daddy.”
Hugh was a respected, accomplished pilot. As described by his commanding officer: Hugh Brown was a good pilot without being brash … he was a wonderfully warm man with a great sense of humor. He was a great guy to have on your team because he didn’t care who got the credit.
To Honor! ⚓
(We and the Naval Academy Alumni Association have lost contact with the family. If you know how to find them please email memorial@runtohonor.com.)
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MELVIN_H._BROWN,_LT,_USN