| De Peyster Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 1915 Pennsylvania, USA |
| Died | 3 August 1991 (aged 75) Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, California, USA |
| Allegiance | Canada United Kingdom United States |
| Service/branch | Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Flying Officer (RCAF/RAF), major (USAAF) |
| Unit | No. 1 Squadron RCAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
De Peyster Brown (1915–1991) was an American citizen who flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.
Brown joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (Service Number C1094)[1] claiming to be of Canadian nationality on the 9 September 1939[2] and was posted to No. 112 Squadron RCAF. On arrival in England he was sent to No. 5 OTU RAF Aston Down to convert to Hurricanes and then to No. 1 Squadron RCAF at RAF Northolt on 2 September 1940.
On 27 September 1940 he claimed a Dornier Do 17 destroyed and a shared Junkers Ju 88. On 5 October he was badly shot up in combat with Bf109's but nevertheless pursued one into cloud, being later credited with a 'damaged'. His own aircraft crashed on landing back at Northolt but he was uninjured.
Brown transferred to the United States Army Air Forces on 25 May 1942 (Service No AO1699391). He was given the rank of Lieutenant, later promoted Captain, and held the rank of Major when he retired. He remained in the service for 12 years after the end of World War II and after the war was involved with the Berlin Airlift and possibly served in Korea.[3]
Brown died in hospital in Santa Maria, California[4] in August 1991.[5]