John Howard Brown, Jr.
Private John H. Brown, Jr. served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 8 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 334312
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 22, 1922
at Fort McPherson, GA
Parents
John Howard Brown, Sr.
Annie Madie Mae Brown
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
December 16, 1941
at Birmingham, AL
Home Of Record
410 North Street
Murray, KY
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Madie Brown
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
I/3/5th Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
John Brown Junior served in Item Company, 3/5 during the Guadalcanal campaign. From August to September 1942, he participated in heavy combat along the island’s north coast; most objectives centered around control of the Matanikau River.
On 7 October, 3/5 set out to support another operation aimed at crossing the river. Item Company led the way, intending to establish defensive positions along the eastern bank. Instead, they ran into an entrenched Japanese force about 500 yards from their objective. It took the Marines most of the day to reach the river, but Item Company had a dangerous gap on their right flank that could not be closed by nightfall. The Japanese broke through their lines after dark, inflicting heavy casualties on Item Company in a confusing melee.
In the morning, Item Company was pulled back from the river and placed in reserve – a welcome chance to care for their wounded and account for their dead. Three men were reported missing in action on 8 October 1942. Private Brown and PFC Salvatore C. Speciale were “last seen in action against the enemy” near the east bank of the Matanikau; both men were reported missing as of 1700 hours. A third Item Company Marine, Private Charles Drew Taylor, disappeared two hours later.
Nothing more was heard from the missing men, and all were declared dead on 9 October 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
On or around 10 October 1942, the remains of an unidentified man were buried in the First Marine Division Cemetery, Guadalcanal. He was not the only man brought back from the Matanikau without a name; for a time, he was known only as “Unknown X-11.” Eventually, this individual was identified as Private Taylor – one of the three missing from Item Company. Two other unknowns (X-9 and X-13) were later identified as PFC Alfred Murther and Private Emil Student, of Item and King Companies, also killed on 8 October 1942.
Unknowns X-12, X-14, and X-16 were all buried at around the same time and in the same vicinity. Based on original records, Private Brown may be a potential match for one of these cases. If you are related to John Howard Brown, please contact Missing Marines for more information.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Pre-war address of mother, Mrs. Madie Brown.
In 1942, Lieutenant John Brown Senior was stationed at Fort Tyson in Paris, TN. The family lived at 314 Edgewood Street, Paris.
Location Of Loss
Private Brown was last seen near the eastern bank of the Matanikau River.
