SSgt Willliam L. Brown

Written by his son Hugh Brown

I am pleased to see my father's name, SSgt William L. Brown KIA, listed among those that served as a combat photographer during the Vietnam War. I was only seven when my father died in a tragic C-130 airplane fire February 10, 1968 on the hill they used for a runway. You may remember the event, a C-130 carrying helicopter fuel bladders that took VC fire while trying to land and unload their cargo. He truly loved taking photos.

He was a DI at Parris Island for many years, 1960-1964, and I believe also some time before 1957. I came along in 1960 and we moved to MCLB Albany, Ga. in November 1964. He was SSgt William L. Brown, some knew him as 'Bill,' my mom called him 'Leo', He was the base photographer at MCLB Albany prior to going to Vietnam.