Dudley S. Brown

Brown was born on March 30, 1896, in Fort Whipple, Arizona.^[1] After graduating from University of Arizona in 1917, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 June 1917 and was commissioned second lieutenant on the same date. His first assignment was with the newly activated 11th Marine Regiment, which was sent to France in October 1918 in the closing months of World War One. Brown did not see combat, and returned to the United States with the rest of the regiment in July 1919.

After his return, Brown served for almost two years at Marine Barracks in Boston, Massachusetts. He was then assigned to the 15th Marine Regiment within 2nd Brigade of Marines, on deployment to the Dominican Republic. Brown was promoted to company commander within his regiment and stayed in Santo Domingo until November 1923. During this time, he also served as Aide-de-camp to the brigade commander, General Harry Lee.

In November 1941, prior to the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Brown was appointed operations officer within Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet under Major General Clayton Barney Vogel. His command was redesignated I Marine Amphibious Corps in October 1942 and sailed immediately for South Pacific. He did not see direct combat and was stationed at Nouméa, New Caledonia. However, South Pacific Area Commander, Admiral William F. Halsey was not satisfied with general Vogel and asked Commandant General Thomas Holcomb for replacement. Brown followed his superior in July 1943, when he was relieved by Lieutenant Colonel Edward W. Snedeker and was transferred back to the United States. For his distinguished service during the operation, Brown was decorated with Navy Commendation Medal.^[1]

He was subsequently appointed chief of staff of Fleet Marine Force under general Holland M. Smith in San Diego, California. Brown was transferred back to the Pacific in February 1944, when he was assigned back to the staff of I Marine Amphibious Corps under Major General Roy Geiger.^[2] He was appointed corps chief of planning section and assistant chief of staff. After brief period of duty, he was appointed chief of staff of Expeditionary Troops, Third Fleet. Brown served in this capacity under Major General Julian C. Smith and participated in Palau Islands campaign.^[3] For his service in this capacity, Brown was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".^[1]

Brown was appointed assistant chief of staff of planning section of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith in October 1944. He participated in the planning of the Iwo Jima operation and during the battle served simultaneously as chief of staff of Expeditionary Troops, Fifth Fleet again under General Smith.^[4] For his distinguished service during the operation, Brown was decorated with Navy Commendation Medal.^[1]