[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF A TRUE TEXAS WWI HERO--LIEUTENANT MITCHELL H. BROWN

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                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true 
patriot from my hometown, Rockwall, Texas--the late Mitchell H. Brown. 
My district, the Fourth Congressional District of Texas, is home to the 
second largest population of veterans in the State of Texas. Today I 
would like to single out a great veteran and WWI hero, Mitchell Brown, 
who was a distinguished Second Lieutenant in the 50th Aero Squadron, 
Air Service, American Expeditionary Force.
  Mitchell left Rockwall in January of 1918 and was dispatched overseas 
to France, where he attended French artillery school and an aviators 
instruction center. He studied aerial photography and learned to be 
proficient in the use of light weaponry. Finally, he attended the 
Aeronautical section of the Ind Corps school located at Chattillon-Sur-
Seine.
  After finishing his training, Mitchell was assigned to the 50th Aero 
Squadron. Mitchell used his field training as he penetrated enemy 
lines, reporting batteries in action, trucks on the roads, trains, 
massed troops, fires, and other favorable targets that the artillery 
might fire upon. He survived many near-death encounters with the enemy. 
During an aerial reconnaissance mission for the 78th Division near 
Beffu-et-le-Morthomme, he attacked an enemy balloon, forcing it to the 
ground, but this drew an attack by three enemy planes in return. The 
incendiary bullets from the enemy's machine guns set the signal rockets 
in Mitchell's cockpit afire. Disregarding the flames, he continued to 
fire his machine gun, destroying one enemy plane and forcing the others 
to disengage. He quickly put out the flames and then successfully 
completed the mission and secured information of ``great military 
value''. This was one of his more well known acts of heroism during the 
war.
  Mitchell has always been passionate about his country. He once wrote 
his wife Lilybel, saying, ``It's all very true that war isn't what it's 
cracked up to be. Lots of times you have a longing for quiet pastures 
when the odds loom up against you. Personally, I had rather die a dozen 
times than to have folks say I didn't do my duty.'' That statement 
characterizes so many veterans who put their lives at risk in defense 
of our country and the principles of freedom upon which America was 
founded. These veterans, like Mitchell, are true American heroes, and 
we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be adequately repaid.
  Mitchell was married before he went overseas and, after the war, 
returned to Rockwall County to farm and raise three boys with Lilybel. 
His sons were also in the service of their country, with one son, Lt. 
Tom Brown, paying the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield. I went 
through high school with Tom. He, like his father and brothers, loved 
life and loved this country. He gave it all so that his family--and all 
of us--could live in safety and peace. God Rest His Soul.
  For many years Mr. Mitchell Brown lived, as he said, a ``rather quiet 
life with little to enlarge upon'' as a farmer. Such a humble statement 
belies the great man he was. He was dedicated to his country, his 
family, and his community--and he was a good friend of mine. I admired 
him greatly--and I have never forgotten the greatness I saw in this 
great WWI aviator who flew the airplanes that were forerunners to 
today's fast fleet of jets. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do 
so in memory of Mitchell H. Brown and all our veterans whose sacrifices 
enable us to be free today.

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