Ian F. Brown

BROWN, CAPT. IAN FRASER, USN (RET.), passed away at his home in Orlando on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 after a lengthy illness. He was born on October 23, 1924 in Swampscott, Mass., to Jessie and John Brown, who had immigrated to the United States from Scotland after World War I. In 1942, he graduated with honors from English High School in Lynn, Mass., and joined the United States Navy. Pursuing his boyhood dream of becoming an aviator, he gained admission to the Navy's aviation cadet program and "earned his wings" in 1944. He earned a bachelors degree from George Washington University. He piloted a variety of World War II- era fixed wing aircraft, primarily the Avenger, and participated in the development of night fighter tactics for the F6F aircraft. In the early 1950s, his career took him into the then new field of helicopter aviation, and he was designated the Navy's 333rd helicopter pilot. He served on the USS Salem, the USS New Jersey, an icebreaker in the Arctic, and numerous aircraft carriers. From 1961-64, he was assigned to helicopter squadron HS-5, where he served as executive officer and then commanding officer. While part of HS-5, the squadron participated in the retrieval of Alan Sheppard in 1961 and performed aerial inspections of Soviet freighters withdrawing missiles from Cuba during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In the mid-60s, he commanded Air Group 50 in Key West, Florida. From 1970-75, he was Commander Fleet Activities Ryukyus Islands, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the period that Okinawa reverted to Japanese governmental control following US post-war occupation. In 1975, after 33 years of active military service and 5,000 hours of flight time, he retired from the Navy. The following year, the family relocated to Orlando. Following his retirement, Ian was active in the Tailhook Association, the Naval Helicopter Association and the USS Salem Association. His beloved wife of 54 years, Maxine, preceded him in death in 2003. He is survived by three sons, Keith (wife Jeanne) of Millbrae, CA, Kevin of Jacksonville, FL, and Ian Scott of Orlando, three grandchildren, Meghan, Michael, and Nathan. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 6PM at the Newcomer East Orlando Chapel, 895 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, 407-277-4227. Immediately following the service, a celebration of his life will be held at the family home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to a Hospice foundation.