Local military dignitary dies at 84 years

Former Army Lieutenant Colonel Beauregard Brown III, a native of DeQuincy, departed from this life Thursday, July 30 at his home. LTC Brown was the subject of many articles in the DeQuincy News. He and his sister, Rev. Rose Cooks, are the children of Fannie Richard and Beauregard Brown II.

Lt. Col. Brown may be honored on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 11 a.m., by lining up at the DeQuincy VFW or at the Sale Barn, with your lights on.

Lt. Col. Brown joined the Army in 1957 after graduating from Prairie View A & M University. In 1959, Brown attended U. S. Air Force Combat Survival School and was an honor graduate, finishing first in his class of 78 officers. He has been stationed in West Germany, Georgia, North Carolina, Vietnam, Europe, and many other places.

For his service throughout the years, he has received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), a U. S. Army Commendation Medal with OLC, a Vietnam Service Medal with six gold stars, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Order of Military Merit Award from the Republic of South Korea, a National Defense Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal.

During his career, Lt. Col. Brown has met many famous people, including Dr. Andrew Young, Civil Rights activist and a former ambassador to the United Nations; Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and anti-apartheid revolutionary; Colin Powell, retired four star general and former U. S. Secretary of State; Billy Graham; Pope John Paul VI, and Senator Hillary Clinton.

He was also an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention. Brown served as Associate Minister in North Carolina, but considered himself an evangelist. He has been recognized for his community service wherever he has been posted.

Brown retired from the Army in 1979 with service-related vision problems; he became completely blind in later years.

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