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:
05/13/2023
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
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.