Royal Brown

U.S. Air ForceCOCOA BEACH -- Col. Royal Brown Jr. of Cocoa Beach, who has family in Winter Haven, died of complications from injuries sustained in a fall Sunday (May 11, 2003) at Kindred Bay Area Hospital in Tampa. He was 79.Born in Flomaton, Ala., on Dec. 21, 1923, he later moved to Cocoa Beach. He was a retired colonel in the Air Force and a veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War.He was a command pilot, squadron and wing commander, flying 14,500 hours with thousands of combat hours during the wars. He received four Silver Stars, 11 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 Air Medals and two Bronze stars. During the Vietnam War, his crew rescued a downed fighter crew from a POW camp.He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the American Legion, and Military Officers Association of America. He was a member of First Methodist Church of Flomaton, Ala.Col. Brown is survived by his wife, Maria Helen Brown; son, retired Lt. Col. Royal Brown III, Winter Haven; daughter, Mary Jane Schramek, Seminole; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local animal humane society.