June 4, 1931 (Norwalk, CT) – October 29, 1952; 21 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 42 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Norwalk
Enlisted March 10, 1952
MOS: 2100, Basic Ground Ordnance Maintenance
Service Number: 1248616
Korean War Project Key No: 3433
Unit: 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Regiment, 3rd Battalion, I Company
Born to Walter A. (1908-1977) and Ruth C. Wilson Browne (1907-1976). Donald was their only child. One half-brother from his father’s 2nd marriage, Edward T. (1937-).
PFC Browne’s cousin, PFC Edward Norman Wilson, was killed during training at Camp Gordon, Georgia on February 21, 1945. PFC Browne’s mother Ruth lost both a brother and a son to war.
Casualty Location: Western Outposts, South Korea
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal
From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission
Private First Class Browne was a member of the 1st Marine Division. He was wounded in the neck on October 27, 1952, while fighting the enemy in Korea. He was transferred to the hospital ship the USS Consolation and died of those wounds on October 29, 1952.
From The Norwalk Hour October 29, 1952
Private First Class Donald Carroll Browne, USMC, of 42 Chestnut Hill Avenue has been wounded in action in Korea according to a telegram received Tuesday by his mother, Mrs. Ruth C. Browne. She said today he is aboard the hospital ship “Consolation” somewhere in Korean waters and his condition is critical. PFC Browne arrived in Korea on October 6 according to his mother and went into action with the First Marine Division a short time later. He trained at Parris Island where he was in an ordnance outfit. Mrs. Browne could not say in what area her son was wounded. A recent letter stated that he saw action at “Bunker Hill” and mentioned that he was fighting within three miles of Panmunjon, where the truce talks were being held. She added that she received a letter Monday, written October 17, which said Donald was fine and had a short rest leave. PFC Browne graduated from Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill, New York, in June 1951. He received his draft notice in January of this year and enlisted in the Marines in February. He reported to duty on March 10th.
From The Norwalk Hour October 30, 1952
Private First Class Donald Carroll Browne, USMC, of 42 Chestnut Hill Avenue, reported as being badly wounded in Korea, died the same day, according to a telegram received Wednesday afternoon by his mother, Mrs. Ruth C. Browne. The 21-year-old Marine died aboard the hospital ship “Consolation” in Korean waters. The telegram said Private First Class Browne had been severely wounded in the neck. He arrived in Korea on October 6 and said he saw action at “Bunker Hill.” He could not have been in action more than three weeks, Mrs. Browne said. The telegram stated that the body would be returned to the United States “as soon as possible” for burial. PFC Browne reported for duty on March 10 this year and trained at Parris Island. He was attached to an ordnance outfit. Several letters received by his mother said he had been fighting within three miles of Panmunjon where the truce talks are being held. PFC Browne graduated from Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill, New York, in June 1951. He received his draft notice in January and enlisted in the Marines a short time later.
From The Norwalk Hour December 23, 1952
Funeral services for PFC Donald C. Browne were held Saturday morning at 9:15 from the late home, 42 Chestnut Hill Avenue, and at 10 o’clock in the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle where a solemn requiem, mass was celebrated. Rev. Francis E. Fenton was the celebrant. Rev. John V. Horgan, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church, deacon, and Rev. Henry E. Flanagan, sub-deacon. Interment took place in St. John’s Cemetery where committal services were conducted by Father Flanagan and Father Fenton. The pallbearers were SSgt JJ Blank Jr., SSgt R.W. Conrad, SSgt J. Kaminaly, SSgt I.A. Vadala, PC P.M. Santeke, and SSgt J.G. Lommerse, all of the USMC. Honorary bearers were Bernardo Loeffke, Elliott Vurgason, Thomas Chabalis, Robert Liebfred, Richard A. Rust, and John Pavese. Cadets and Major Richmond L. Scott of the Peekskill Military Academy and associates of PFC Browne. The firing squad consisted of Officer in Charge, 1st Lt. Samuel P. Friedson, National Guard, Westport, MSgt Stewart Black, SFC P.W. Uhl, Cpl Richard Hammond, Cpl Edward Scarpone, PFC John Splan, Pvt Robert Sutherland, and Pvt William Satherlass. Donald Burr was the bugler. The services were largely attended and there were many beautiful floral tributes.
From The Norwalk Hour June 24, 1953
A memorial scholarship has been established at Peekskill, New York Military Academy by Mrs. Ruth W. Browne of Chestnut Hill Avenue in commemoration of her late son, Private First Class Donald Carroll Browne, U.S. Marine Corps, who was fatally wounded in action on October 29, 1952, on “The Hook” in Korea. The memorial scholarship was made known at the commencement exercises of the academy held on June 3 in Peekskill which were attended by Mrs. Browne, Miss Dorice Mullin, Miss Ann Podzelni, and Frank Byrne of this city and miss Virginia Klepper of Peekskill, New York. The announcement of the establishment of the scholarship was made by Headmaster Howard Moore of the academy. Browne graduated from the academy two years ago as a cadet First Lieutenant staff officer of the Cadet Corps. The scholarship is to be awarded annually, Headmaster Moore states in his announcement.
Private Browne is buried at Saint John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section A, Lot 64, Grave 2. Photos by webmaster.
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