John Anderson Brown ’43

John died Nov. 30, 1995, at his home in Wayne, Penn., following a valiant struggle with cancer. He was 74.

Born in NYC, John prepped for Princeton at Deerfield Academy. Graduating from Princeton with a degree in engineering, he entered the Navy, where he served aboard the destroyer escort Edmonds from 1943-45. A lt., John participated in many of the major naval campaigns of the Pacific. He earned a Bronze Star after rescuing several sailors from a kamikazed aircraft carrier in the bloody engagement at Okinawa. John began his business career at Foster Wheeler Co. in NYC, moved to Philadelphia in 1953 to open an office for the Fluor Corp., then started up his own firm, John A. Brown & Processors Construction Co., in 1958. He retired in 1981.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen Thacher Brown; sons W. Thacher and John A. Jr.; two daughters, Marjorie C. and H. Sanford; four granddaughters; and two step-grandsons.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of John's heroism during the dark days of WWII was revealed by his son Thacher who said, "Nobody knew about the award until the 59th reunion of his ship in 1995. At dinner, Dad started telling us about it, then pulled out the citation and showed it to the grandchildren." To the entire family, we offer our deep sympathy.

The Class of 1943