Frederic J. Brown III

1934 - 2024

Frederic J. Brown III, Lieutenant General, US Army (Ret.), known as Rick to his family and friends, passed away May 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. Born July 18, 1934 to Frederic J. Brown Jr. (USMA 1927) and Kathryn Richardson Brown at Ft. Sill, OK, he dedicated his life to Duty, Honor, Country.

After graduating as a distinguished cadet from the United States Military Academy West Point 1956, Rick married his beloved childhood sweetheart Harriette Anne Upham. The Brown "team" was formed. Both chose service to country as Anne worked tirelessly to support military families at home and abroad, receiving the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest Army Civilian Award, in 1989.

Rick was commissioned Armor. As the first Olmsted Scholar, he attended the University of Geneva in Switzerland. There he earned a Masters of Arts degree in Political Science, subsequently adding a Ph.D. His dissertation, Chemical Warfare: A Study in Restraints, was published by Princeton Press.

Rick retired from the US Army in 1989 having served 32 years in various command and staff assignments including both Calvary and Infantry units in Germany, Viet Nam and the United States culminating as Chief of Armor, Commanding General Ft Knox, KY and Commander of Fourth Army, Ft Sheridan, IL. During his career Rick was awarded multiple US Decorations and Badges including the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Silver Star, Le-gion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with V Device (with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters,) Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge. In 2010 Rick received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy, class of 1956.

A distinguished author, Rick wrote several books, numerous articles and papers on the challenges facing the US Army and the use of advance information technologies in training and leader preparation. While passionate about his service to Country and the US Army, he was equally devoted to his wife and family and enjoyed hiking, bicycling and travel.

Rick is preceded in death by his beloved wife Harriette Upham Brown and survived by his three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Anne and Rick will be interred at the United States Military Academy, West Point. The funeral service and interment will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Old Cadet Chapel. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Army Emergency Relief, at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate.