[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E568-E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND PATRIOTIC SERVICE OF PRIVATE JAMES WILLIAM BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2022

  Mr. FALLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate the 
life and service of Private James William Brown. James honorably served 
in the United Stated Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He tragically 
has been missing in action since April 5, 1966. This Memorial Day, he 
is being remembered by his family, friends, and neighbors in his 
hometown of Maud, Texas. As the Congressman for that district, I would 
like to join them in commemorating Private Brown.
  James was born on July 22, 1946, and was a resident of Maud, Texas 
where he lived with his parents William and Shirley. James was the 
oldest sibling and is now survived by his sister Becky Sorsby and 
brothers Mark Brown and Bill Embry, Jr.
  Eight years into the Vietnam War, when more than half of the men 
eligible for the draft were deferred, exempted, or disqualified, 17-
year-old James proactively answered the call to serve his country. 
Putting country over self, he decided to end his high school education 
and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 30, 1963.
  A little over two and a half years later, James found himself as a 
rifleman for Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division in a hazy jungle of South Vietnam. While engaged in a combat 
mission against hostile forces, James was the lead scout towing a rope 
across the Rach La River in Vietnam's Mekong River Delta in an effort 
to secure safe passage for the rest of his unit. That is when the 
river's waters began to rise quickly, and he was overtaken by the 
duplicitous waters. After days of searching, he was declared missing in 
action. Private James William Brown paid the ultimate sacrifice and

[[Page E569]]

56 years later, his body has yet to be recovered.
  Private James William Brown posthumously received the Purple Heart, 
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign 
Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and 
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for his service and bravery.
  This Memorial Day in Maud, Texas, the town where he enlisted and one 
in which I proudly represent in the United States Congress, there will 
be a memorial stone dedicated to the honor and sacrifice of Marine 
Private James William Brown. This event is sponsored by SPC Israel 
Garza of the American Legion, Post 161 and will be highly attended, as 
so deserved. I pray that the memory of this patriot will live on in all 
those who attend this memorial.
  Madam Speaker, I have shared with the House today only a small 
portion of this great American's life. I have requested a United States 
flag be flown over our Nation's Capitol to recognize Private James 
William Brown's patriotism and devotion to God, family, and country. 
Furthermore, Madam Speaker, I extend my personal condolences to the 
family of James for the loss of such an extraordinary man of service 
and duty. May God rest his soul.

                          ____________________