Gerald A. "Jerry" Brown was born on September 3, 1941, and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1963 with a Bachelors of Science in Range Management. While at Tech he was a member of the Army ROTC, president of the ROTC Association, Executive Officer of the Association of the U. S. Army, Tech Unit, the commander and advisor for the Tyrian Rifles Drill Team, and he earned the following ROTC honors: Distinguished Military Student 1962 - 1963, Defense SupplyAssociation Scholastic Key 1963, and he was named one of the Top 10 Cadet Colonels in the U.S. He went to Vietnam in June of 1966 where he was an advisor in Darlac province. During his tour, he started an aid program for local refugees and soon earned the nickname "Kool-Aid Kid" because of the frequent letters to his mother requesting packets of the drink for the program. He earned the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device, National Order of Vietnam 5th Class, Cross of Gallantrywith Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, and Silver Star. He was killed in a firefight on May 16, 1967.
