Colonel Larry G. Brown

Larry Brown was the son of a Navy airman and always knew he wanted to fly. After attending Clark Community College, he went to Army flight school in 1966 and graduated as a Warrant Officer. He was assigned to Vietnam as an Aero Scout pilot flying the OH-13 and OH-6 with the 1st Squadron, 9/1 Air Cavalry. Brown next served as a flight instructor before receiving a commission to 2nd Lieutenant and developing Aero Scout tactics and training. He returned to Vietnam as an Aero Scout with 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, before being given command of E Troop, 1st Squadron, 9/1 Air Cav. He then flew the CH-54 Skycrane in Germany with the 295th Aviation Company. In 1973, Brown left active duty and came to Evergreen Helicopters to fly Bell 205s and S-64 Skycranes for heavy lift, logging, and fire-fighting. He rose to the position of Chief Pilot before leaving in 1975. Brown returned in 2000 as Director of Operations before moving on to other companies to fly the Skycrane on many fire-fighting jobs. Brown also continued to serve his country as an Oregon National Guardsman. Joining the 1st BTN, 162th Infantry in 1976, he was later assigned to the newly formed 1st BTN 249th Infantry Division. He continued to be promoted, served with the 82nd Brigade, and commanded the 3-186th Infantry AA Battalion. In November 1995, he became Director of Military Personnel for the Oregon NG. His 1996 retirement marked thirty years of service to his country. Brown has amassed 13,516 hours of flight time and earned awards including the Silver Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. Larry Brown and his wife live in McMinnville, Oregon.