Robert W. Brown

Robert W. Brown

Captain Robert “Bob” Wilson Brown, Jr. was a disciplined young man who was described as a “really squared away Marine’s Marine.” His enthusiastic energy and love for family and the Corps inspired those around him. He was working for CIA when he was killed in a major ambush while on a mission to resupply allied forces and inspect the Vietnamese countryside. Though he did not serve with CIA for very long, his patriotism and commitment to mission reflects the very best of us.

Early Years

Bob was born on September 4, 1941 and hailed from Centreville, Maryland. He was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps during his senior year at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he graduated in 1963.

Bob was never one to say no to a challenge, and his classmates remembered the bravery and dedication he displayed on and off the sports field. These qualities also carried into his military service. Bob was wounded during his first tour in Vietnam, but he did not want to be separated from his platoon. His only thought while receiving medical treatment was getting back to his men.

Time with CIA

Bob was detailed to the CIA on April 10, 1967 to participate in the Revolutionary Development Cadre. The program brought experienced U.S. military officers on to serve as advisers and help win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese by providing armed protection and reconstruction projects for rural villages.

His Final Mission

On February 26, 1968, Bob was leading a mission to resupply the Truong Son provincial cadre team and inspect the area in Darlac Province when he was targeted by small arms fire. An interpreter accompanying him survived the attack and radioed in the report about Bob’s fatal wound. Allied forces responded immediately, but due to the scale of the ambush, they needed heavy armor and air support to repel the enemy fighters. By the time they reached him, Bob had unfortunately passed away. He was 26 years old.

Bob was survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. His name was released to the public and officially recognized in the CIA’s Book of Honor in 2025.