SSG Jeremy A Brown

26, US Army

July 3 marks the anniversary of the passing of SSG Jeremy A Brown ,26, US Army. We honor and remember him and his mother Teresa Brown both of Mabscott WV. 

SSG Brown born Nov 10, 1978, was assigned to the 66th Military Intelligence Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo. He died July 3, 2005, in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained earlier that day when the Humvee in which he was riding accidentally rolled over in Tal Afar, Iraq. while manning the gunner’s position. At least 57 soldiers from his post in Colorado Springs, Colo., have died in Iraq. Another 68 soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, have died there as well.

Teresa Brown said that her son was riding in the gunner’s position on the Humvee and was killed instantly when it rolled on top of him and crushed him. “We don’t know how it flipped,” Teresa Brown said. “Everyone says that a staff sergeant isn’t supposed to be a gunner, but Jeremy would have taken over any job and done it if his men were sick or injured.” Brown was in a convoy on a night mission in Iraq when an Iraqi car fishtailed and swerved toward the convoy. Suspecting a car bomb, the platoon leader ordered Brown to swerve right. The Humvee Brown was driving hit a boulder and rolled over twice, ejecting everyone aboard. Brown was evacuated by helicopter and died of internal injuries in route to the hospital.

As Jeremy was preparing to leave for his second tour of duty in Iraq, he told his mother that he had a responsibility to the younger soldiers who would see war for the first time. “He said, ‘I have to go, I have to”’ she said. “He said, ’Mom, I don’t know if you realize this or not, but there are 18- and 19-year-old kids who are going to be scared. I’m a veteran.”’

Jeremy was in Iraq for most of 2003 and part of 2004, then came back to the United States for a year. He returned to Iraq in February. Brown’s mother said he was scheduled to leave the military in October 2006.

As strongly as Jeremy Brown wanted to join the military as a teenager fresh out of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, he wanted to leave it next year to be a dad, according to his family. He met his wife, Rosemary, also an Iraq veteran, in Korea. They were married in January 2003, before his first tour in Iraq. The couple were supposed to close on their new home in Fredericksburg, Va the week he died. His son from a previous relationship lives in Ohio with his mother.

Army officials visited Teresa Brown’s home July 3rd to deliver the news as family members were gathering for Independence Day events. The Fourth of July has changed forever, she said. “It was shocking ... one of those things you never want to deal with.” She said she was comforted to know he didn’t suffer. “He would have never wanted to be captured or shot or come back home missing limbs.”

Jeremy is also survived by two brothers, including a twin, Jason. Jason Brown said he encouraged his brother to stay in the military for another 10 years so he could retire and move on to another career. “He told me that if it wasn’t for the time away from his son he wouldn’t mind spending time over there. He felt like he was doing some good over there,” Jason Brown said. 

According to his family you never saw Jeremy without his trademark Dr Pepper. So this 4th of July raise your Dr Pepper and remember SSG Jeremy Brown. 

Jeremy A. Brown is buried beside his father John Alexander Brown, a Vietnam War veteran  at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Beckley.

Jeremy Brown was a soldier’s soldier…

Let us remember him, his family and always...

Say his name.