Richard Ernest Brown

Richard Ernest Brown, 88, of Woodbridge, Va., passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 25, 2016. Born and raised in Jefferson City, Mo., Richard 'Gus' Brown graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1947 where he lettered in football all four years and was captain of the team. Upon graduation from Southwest Missouri University, he completed the US Marine Corps Platoon Leader Candidate program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1953. Richard excelled at multiple challenging jobs through his USMC career, from Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Division Staff and as a Program Manager in the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico. During the Vietnam War he fielded and battle-tested the Integrated Observation Device, earning the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars. This new system was credited with having a major impact against enemy forces and was a key tool for the US efforts in Vietnam. Upon his retirement from the Corps in 1972, he worked as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy, and established their small-arms weapons program from the ground up. His efforts led to the Navy being fully resourced in the weapons they needed for force protection and combat operations. He revolutionized the weapons and tactical equipment for the Naval Special Warfare Command, earning praise and thanks from all the Seal Teams (including the legendary Seal Team Six) and was inducted as an honorary Navy Frogman. These efforts led to the rare honor of having the 'Richard E. Brown Small Arms Development Facility' at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., being named in his honor after his retirement from Navy Civil Service. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Jean; daughter, Robin; brother, Robert Brown of Mission, Mo.; and sister, Evelyn Fisher of Freemont, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Myrle Brown; brother, Russell Brown; and sisters, Barbara DeMartine and Ernestine Brumley. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Mountcatle Turch Funeral Home, 13318 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Life Celebration at 11:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery.