Updated: 03 January 2009
Emil Jean Brown was born in Marcellus on Oct. 17, 1918, the son of Emory and Muriel (Fletcher) Brown. He graduated from MHS in 1937, and attended Parsons Business College in Kalamazoo. He enlisted in the Michigan National Guard, Co. D., 126th Infantry (Holland, Mich.) on Oct. 15, 1940. He trained at Camp Beauregard (LA), and then was at Camp Livingston (LA) for more than a year. He graduated from the 32nd “Red Arrow” Div. Enlisted Men’s Training School. He left the U.S. from San Francisco in April 1942, and landed in Australia on May 29, 1942. He was killed in action on Nov. 26, 1942 (New Guinea). Emil’s body arrived in Marcellus on Feb. 15, 1949, and he is buried in the Marcellus (Bly) Cemetery next to his parents and younger brother David. (Ref.: Marcellus News, Feb. 17, 1949.)
Thanks to Robert Brown for this submission.
From "50 Years Ago in Marcellus" by Joyce DeRuiter in the Marcellus News: February 17, 1949 DEATHS:
"The body of P.F.C. Emil Brown arrived in Marcellus Tuesday, February 15, 1949. The Rev. Henry Hulmes, former Pastor of the Marcellus Methodist Church officiated and burial was in the Marcellus Cemetery with the VFW and American Legion conducting graveside services.
Emil was born October 27, 1918 in Marcellus to Emory and Muriel Fletcher Brown. He was survived by his parents, three brothers, one sister and his grandmother, Mrs. J.H. Fletcher of Marcellus. One brother preceded him in death, September 6, 1942.
Emil graduated from Marcellus High School in 1937 and enlisted in the Michigan National Guard. He graduated from the 32nd Div. Enlisted Men's Training School June 17, 1941. He sailed from San Francisco in April, 1942 on one of the largest ocean liners. The crossing took more than a month, landing in Australia, May 28, 1942. The Red Arrow Division was the first to embark for overseas duty on one convoy and was first in New Guinea where he was killed in active duty November 26, 1942."