News Article Release

Naval Academy Memorial Service Honors Wesley Brown

June 6, 2012

By Jessica Clark

A memorial service for retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Wesley Brown was held June 6 at the U.S. Naval Academy’s main chapel.

Brown was the Naval Academy’s first African American graduate.

“He showed us one person can make a difference,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert during the ceremony. “His accomplishments exemplify the importance to me of diversity in our service.”

Greenert said Brown opened doors to future generations in the military, a remark that rang especially true when retired Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, director of NASA, spoke.

Brown was a “real American hero,” said Bolden. “The legacy he left behind helped pave the way for me and so many others.”

Director of the Naval Academy Alumni Association Byron Marchant and the first female African-American academy graduate Janie Mines also spoke during the service, describing Brown as an inspiration.

“I never heard him say anything negative about anybody,” said Mines. “It was always encouraging.”

A native of Baltimore, Md., Brown was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1945 and distinguished himself as an accomplished athlete, running track and cross country. In 2008, the Naval Academy named its newly constructed field house after Brown. The Wesley Brown Field House is located on the Academy grounds near 7th wing of Bancroft Hall, across from Farragut Field and Luce Hall.

After being commissioned in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps in 1949, Brown became a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War before he retired from the Navy in 1969. Throughout his career Brown remained closely connected to the academy, frequently attending events and serving on the Alumni Association Board of Trustees.

Brown is survived by his wife of 50 years, Crystal, two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His family donated his Reef Points book, issued to Brown as a plebe in 1945, and his Naval Academy class ring to the academy following the service.

Brown was interred at the Naval Academy columbarium in a private ceremony prior to the memorial service.

“Wesley Brown will forever be remembered by generations of midshipmen and naval officers as the epitome of courage, strength and service,” said Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Michael Miller. “His spirit and legacy helped shape the Naval Academy and all we stand for. He will never be forgotten.”