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