Press Release

NAVAL ACADEMY HOLDS MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RETIRED NAVY LT. CMDR. WESLEY BROWN

NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Media who wish to cover the memorial service should contact the Naval Academy Public Affairs Office at (410) 293-2292 or email mediarelations@usna.edu no later than 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. There will be an opportunity for media interviews and comments at Wesley Brown Field House following the service.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A memorial service for retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Wesley Brown, Naval Academy Class of 1949, will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 11 a.m. at the Naval Academy’s Main Chapel. Brown was the Naval Academy’s first African American graduate. This service is open to the public.

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.

Brown’s Reef Points book, issued to Brown as a plebe (freshman) in 1945, and his Naval Academy class ring will be donated from his family to the academy following the memorial service.

“Wesley Brown embodied the highest ideals of the academy's mission and dedicated himself to decades of selfless and distinguished service to our nation,“ said Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Michael Miller.

After being commissioned in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps, 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 attended events and served 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.

Members of the public wishing to attend the memorial service may walk through Gate 3 (Maryland Avenue) of the academy and will be required to show valid, government-issued picture identification. Vehicles without Department of Defense decals are not permitted on Naval Academy grounds. Authorized vehicles may enter through Gate 1 (King George Street) or Gate 8 (Maryland Route 450). Handicapped visitors with proper decals and identification are permitted through Gate 1 during normal business hours and may be subject to a vehicle inspection. All bags are subject to search.

USNA