Nicholas Paul Brown - Corporal, United States Army

NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense

No. 090-07 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2007

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Specialist Nicholas P. Brown, 24, of Huber Heights, Ohio, died January 22, 2007, in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Brown was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

For more information about this soldier the media can contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at (915) 568-4505.

Friday, January 26, 2007:

A Vandalia-Butler High School graduate was killed Monday in Mosul, Iraq, eight days after becoming a father, the Department of Defense confirmed Thursday.

Army Specialist Nicholas P. Brown, 24, died after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Spc. Nicholas Brown, a graduate of Vandalia-Butler High School, was killed Monday in Iraq. He is shown with his
wife, Sara, and their son, Nicholas Brown II, who was born January 14, 2007, during the soldier's brief visit home to see his newborn

Brown is survived by his wife, Sara, 21, of Dayton and their son, Nicholas Brown II, born January 14, 2007. Sara moved from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Dayton during her pregnancy to be closer to family while her husband was deployed, the family said.

Days before his death, Brown came home to Dayton from Iraq to see his son.

“It was a blessing that he was able to briefly see his newborn son Nicholas before returning to Iraq” last week, Brown's family said in a prepared statement. “Sara will treasure forever those moments together.”

The infantryman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Bliss, according to the Defense Department. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

“Nick was very proud to serve his country,” his family said. “He enjoyed playing pool, being with friends and taking care of his family.”

Brown joined the Army Reserves in 2001 before switching to active duty in November 2004, according to his family.

He deployed to Iraq in late October, said Jean Offutt, public affairs officer at Fort Bliss. Deployments usually last one year, she said.

“We appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers, and support, but ask that you allow us this time to grieve in private,” the family said.

Brown is the second soldier with Miami Valley ties killed in the past week in Iraq.

Colonel Paul Kelly, 45, a University of Dayton and Carroll High School graduate, was among 12 U.S. troops killed Saturday in Baghdad when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed.

Kelly, one of the most senior Army officials to die in Iraq, lived in Stafford, Virginia, with his wife, Maria, and sons Paul David, 9, and John Joseph, 5.

Kelly is to be buried Thursday in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery, according to his sister-in-law, Peggy Kelly, one of several family members who live in Beavercreek — including Kelly's parents, John and Mary Rose Kelly.

A scholarship fund for Kelly's sons is being set up through St. William of York Catholic School in Stafford.

UD is planning a memorial service, time and place to be announced.

1 February 2007:

Funeral arrangements have been released for a former Vandalia-Butler graduate who was killed in Iraq.

Army Corporal Nicholas Paul Brown, 24, died January 22, 2007, when an explosive device went off near his vehicle. Brown had just return to Iraq after visiting his newborn son who was born on January 14, 2007.

Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home, 507 W. Jefferson St., New Carlisle.

Brown was promoted posthumously to the rank of Corporal, his family said. He visited his wife, Sara, and their newborn son, Nicholas Paul Brown II, days before an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Mosul, Iraq.

3 February 2007:

There were two Nicholas Browns honored Saturday morning at the United Methodist Church.

The funeral was for Army Cpl. Nicholas Paul Brown, 24, a former Vandalia Butler student who was killed in Mosul, Iraq, on January 22, 2007.

But much was also said about his son, Nicholas Paul Brown II, born eight days before his father died.

“We're videotaping this for you, little Nicholas, to show you when you're older,” said the Rev. Jeff Burdsall, addressing both the camera and the infant in the arms of widow, Sara Brown. Corporal Brown had visited his wife and new son just days before he died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

“When Nicholas came back from leave, he showed me pictures of his new son, and his eyes would well up with tears,” said Brig. Gen. Richard Ellis.

Ellis was at the part-civilian, part-military funeral Saturday to present Sara, 21, and Brown's parents, and two brothers — one a twin — with folded American flags and shadowboxes containing his awards and honors. Brown was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously. Brown was driving the lead vehicle of a convoy headed into a bad neighborhood, “in the most dangerous spot a soldier could be,” Ellis said.

For that reason, his Army brothers “gave him the supreme compliment. They called him ‘warrior,' ” Ellis said. The title is used within the Army to show respect for good fighters who also demonstrate a strongly moral, human side.

While Ellis' address to the gathering refrained from the political, Burdsall attempted to justify Brown's death for those who questioned its purpose.

“Unfortunately this is one more sad gathering that has taken place across the nation during this war,” Burdsall said. “But the purpose of this war, whether you agree with its politics or not, has been to prevent attacks on our soil. Nicholas' sacrifice served this purpose.”

After the service, area residents braved icy winds to wave flags along the mile-long drive down Main Street toward the New Carlisle Cemetery.

There, Brown's body was placed near a headstone bearing his name for a service of full military honors, including a 21-gun salute.

Another memorial service will be held February 21, 2007. at Fort Bliss, Texas, for Brown and four other soldiers, age 21 to 29, who were killed January 15, 2007, said base spokeswoman Jean Offutt.

Brown was the fifth infantryman from his Fort Bliss unit to die in Iraq in a two-week period, she said. The infantrymen were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Bliss, according to the Defense Department.

On Tuesday, Brown's body will be transported to Arlington National Cemetery, where he'll be buried.

BROWN, NICHOLAS P

CPL US ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH: 02/12/1982
DATE OF DEATH: 01/22/2007
BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8531
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

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Nicholas Paul Brown – Corporal, United States Army

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