Briefing Document: Doyle Lee Brown

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Life and Military Service of Doyle Lee Brown

Sources: Excerpts from Pasted Text

Summary: This document provides a biographical overview of Doyle Lee Brown, focusing on his family, education, and military service, culminating in his death during World War II.

Key Themes and Facts:

Early Life and Family:

Doyle Lee Brown was born on September 11, 1921, in Putnam, Callahan County, Texas.

His parents were Willie Ida Middleton (born 1888) and George Allen Brown (born 1883).

He grew up in Callahan County, Texas, with his parents, brother and sister. The source does not provide the names or sex of his siblings.

Education:

He was the Salutatorian of his graduating class from Putnam High School in 1939.

He attended Texas A&M College for two years.

He was working in a bakery in Callahan County before enlisting in the US Army.

Military Service:

He registered for the draft in February 1942, while he was a student at Texas A&M, and listed his father as his next of kin.

He enlisted in the US Army Infantry as a private on July 25, 1942, at College Station, Texas.

His Army Service Number (ASN) was 18072942.

He served as a Second Lieutenant (O-556399) in the 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division. The division was known as the "Jungleers."

He was killed in action on March 25, 1945, during the assault on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

He was killed by a Japanese sniper.

Combat in the Philippines:

The 162nd Infantry Regiment, along with the 163rd, landed in Mindanao on March 10, 1945, following naval and air bombardments.

Japanese forces had initially occupied well-defended beach positions east of Zamboanga City, but were forced to evacuate and flee to the hills.

The "Jungleers" faced a series of counterattacks, but successfully overran enemy hill positions by March 25, 1945. This was the date on which Lt. Brown was killed in action.

Post-Death and Burial:

Initially buried in a temporary grave in Mindanao, Philippines.

His remains were repatriated to the United States in 1948.

He was reinterred in the Putnam Cemetery in Putnam, Callahan County, Texas, on August 31, 1948.

Key Quotes:

"Doyle L. Brown asn-18072942 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Callahan County, Texas working in a bakery with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Infantry as a private at College Station, Texas on 25 July 1942."

"The massive assault on the Philippine island of Mindanao began 10 March 1945...The 162nd and 163rd Infantry Regiments made their landings, and the enemy fled into the hills in disorder...2Lt Brown was killed on 25 March 1945 by a Japanese sniper's bullet."

Important Ideas:

This document reveals the typical life trajectory of a young man from rural Texas in the early 20th century who was called to serve in WWII.

It illustrates the widespread participation of young Americans in the war, and the impact that even someone from a small town in Texas, with limited military experience could have upon the course of the conflict.

The descriptions of the combat operation highlight the intensity and dangers faced by the infantry units in the Pacific theater.

The mention of the repatriation of remains and the final burial in his home town underscore the emotional impact and long-lasting consequences of the war for those who lost loved ones.

Conclusion:

The information provided paints a picture of a young man, Doyle Lee Brown, who transitioned from a student in rural Texas to a soldier killed in action during the war. This document serves as a brief record of his life and service, highlighting key moments and details from his birth to his final resting place.