More detail on this person: My Father, Maj USAF (Ret) Chester P. Brown flew with the Green
Hornets in 1967 and 1968. He transferred to Panama Canal Zone, 68-70 and retired. He is listed on
the Military Times Hall Of Valor for the Silver Star and two DFC's he earned in 1967. He took his
final flight from this world on 13 March 2010.
From: Earl Brown This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
08/31/2024
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Awarded a Silver Star and two DFCs. See
http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=24140
Major CHESTER (CHET) PERKINS BROWN, USAF (retired), 80 passed away on March 13, 2010.
Born June 5, 1929 in Cambridge, MA to Lt. Col. Alphonso James and Alice H. Brown, Chet devoted his
life to the service of his and in improving the lives of others around him. Preceded in death by his
parents; sister, Priscilla Stean and son Eric, Chet is survived by his wife of 33 years, Karen E.
Brown of Rio Rancho; children Carl and wife Elaine of Las Cruces, Alan and wife Maureen of Elephant
Butte, Carol and husband Paul Ritchie of Albuquerque, Neal and wife Wendy of Elephant Butte and earl
and wife Laurie of San Diego, CA; 22 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister Marjorie Brown of
Bellevue, WA and several nieces and nephews.
Chet served his country in the United States Air Force and was a combat veteran of the Korean and
Vietnam Wars. While serving in Vietnam he received the Silver Star for valor, two Distinguished
Flying Crosses and three Air Metals for gallantry and bravery as a Huey Gunship Pilot serving with
the 20th Helicopter / Special Operations Squadron "Green Hornets". Upon his retirement in 1979 Chet
returned to school at University of New Mexico and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in
recreation and public administration.
He soon discovered the joy of hot air ballooning and was an active balloon pilot for twenty-five
years. From 1997 to 2001 he served as a flying safety officer for the Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta. Chet was also a Board member of the Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon, and active
State Park volunteer and a docent at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.
He was a member of High Desert United Methodist Church in Rio Rancho and a member of Albuquerque
Lodge #60, AF & AM. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.
Cremation has taken place and he will be interred, with full military honors, at the National
Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Anderson Abruzzo
International Balloon Museum Foundation, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113,
www.balloonmuseum.net; New Mexico State Parks Foundation, www.nmstateparksfoundation.com;
Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon Inc., 5912 Jones Place NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120,
www.smokeybearballoon.com, Balloon Explorium, Inc., P.O. Box 91566, Albuquerque, NM 87199,
www.balloneexplorium.org. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara
Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, 505-892-9920.