By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune Reporter
Someone once told WWII veteran Lillard Brown that he was a hero.
“I said, “No, my friends and neighbors selected me and somehow or other I got overseas and had to fight back, that’s the way it went,”” says Brown.
Lillard Brown
Inducted into the Army in March 1943, Brown trained through July then departed to New Caledonia and on to the Fiji Islands where he was assigned to the 164th infantry. In December they landed in Bougainville, the stage for a series of land and naval battles.
Bougainville, says Brown, was a defensive position where they had a perimeter from ocean to ocean. Things were different when they got to the Philippines.
“We were on the offensive and casualties were much higher,” says Brown. “You have the distinct advantage when they’re coming to you. When we were on the offensive in the Philippines, there was one night when about seven were killed.”
For Brown, an ever so slight move saved his life.
“I know the moment, the time, and the very move that I made right when he pulled that trigger,” says Brown.
If he hadn’t turned to look at a tree it would have hit the middle of his head, he says.
“I knew that he had me dead center and I just happened to move at that time.”
That move saved him, but the bullet struck his ear. Ninety men in his unit were killed that day.
“I was ready for it,” says Brown. “I’m a Christian – I was saved when I was 13, so I’m thinking that if something had happened to me I would have been all right.”
Ninety men in Brown’s outfit died that day.
On December 21, 1943, Brown celebrated his birthday in a foxhole, under air attack from the Japanese.
Story from The Kentucky Post
Looking back, Brown says he’s reminded of a saying that an old employer once told him.
“An old fellow I used to work for at a filling station before I went to service, he put it pretty good, he said, “Wouldn’t take a dollar for my experiences, but I wouldn’t’ do it again for millions,”” says Brown.
In 2013, Rep. Dennis Keene (D-Wilder) presented a legislative citation to Brown, honoring him for his service. Keene also secured the long overdue Bronze Star medal for Brown, working through the U.S.Department of Defense.
Brown was 88-years-old when he received the medal.
Fighting in the war was Brown’s first time overseas. He’d left behind his young wife, Edith. The two were married when they were both 18-years-old.
“When you really feel homesick is when you’re on the boat leaving the states,” says Brown. “You’re sick anyway with sea sickness.”
While he was away his sister-in-law stayed with his wife, who worked at Kreske’s Five & Ten.
“We sacrificed just in being away from home, but there was a lot of sacrifice that went on here at home by the women,” says Brown.
Brown was honorably discharged in October 1945. He received nearly a dozen medals and ribbons for his distinguished military service, including two Purple Hearts.
After his service, Brown operated Brown TV and Appliance in Newport for 55 years.
He currently lives in Fort Wright.
This is my grandfather who I’m so proud of. Love you gpa!