Jan K. Margida
Jkaymargida@icloud.com
Someone who prayed for him.
Silver Lake OH 44224 USA
In December of 1968 I was a sophomore in high school. I don't remember exactly when I recieved my bracelet, but I kept it all these years hoping to someday find out who he was or is. Now I know a little bit about him. Maybe one day we'll meet in heaven.
He gave his life to keep others free. I hope they value what he did for them. And I hope there's others that knew him well and cried for him. And now have peace, hope, joy in having known him!
Feb 9, 2015 |
|
|
 |
nanci johnson
johnson.nanci@gmail.com
pow/mia bracelet
7570 remington road manassas va 20109 usa
I've always wondered
I was only about 12 when I ordered my POW/MIA bracelet.It arrived, with the name Lt. Col.. Charles Brownlee and the date 12/24/68. I remember my heart sinking when I realized that whatever had happened, it had been on Christmas Eve.
I didn't take that bracelet off for years. I slept & showered in it all through high school, long after the war had ended.
I thought about him often, and it wasn't until just now that I learned that my bracelet wasn't the only one that bore his name. I actually believed that each one was unique, and felt a strong obligation to this particular soldier.
To his family, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. He has not been forgotten.
When I got my first computer in the early 90s, one of the first things I did was look up 'my' pow/mia. It was so sad and disappointing to learn of his fate.All those years I had hoped he would make it home safely.
Nov 24, 2013 |
|
|
|
Bill Osborn II
osbornkennels@yahoo.com
My Father & Dick were best friends
5797 Broach Rd Bryan Texas 77808 USA
So Often My Prayers Are For You Uncle Dick!
Uncle Dick & my father Bill Osborn grew up together in Alamosa and were best friends along with Uncle Jay Ford. They are not Uncles by blood but through love. Even as a small child, I remember Uncle Dick & Aunt Judy coming to our home in Dallas, Texas to visit many times. I remember the last time I ever saw him was when I was 8 years old and he was {Still Is} my real life hero. Every year on Christmas Eve, our family has prayer for Dick, Judy & the kids, a moment of silence followed by a toast to Uncle Dick. To this day, I continue the tradition and now include my parents who have now passed. I know they are together now.
God Bless and Thank You For The Liberties You Gave Your Life To Protect.
Little Bill Osborn
Sep 20, 2013 |
|
|
|
Donna Nargi
dreamcatcher2398@aol.com
Respectfully wore his pow bracelet
Never Forgotten
Like others who have posted on this site I wore Colonel Brownlee's pow bracelet for many many years. I did not put it reverently away until I learned that his remains had been found. Yet I take it out every Memorial Day and every Veterans Day and wear it, proudly, to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice of a true hero. I have no doubt that you are in the arms of a loving God: 'no greater love hath a man than to lay down his life for a friend'. You epitomize that sentiment and please know that you are still remembered, honored and loved by those you left behind. Thank you for your ultimate service.
May 25, 2013 |
|
|
|
tommy dearman
tommydearman@gmail.com
just found bracelet in old jewelry
1261 dog wood dr waynesboro ms 39367 usa
gone on but not 4 gotten
i was compelled to wear the chrome bracelet, i found it amongst a heirloom of jewelry that was the prized possesions of a young lady who had served our country and had also died way too soon.
May 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Patti Lombardi - Ritchie - Cluck
pattir7530@gmail.com
i too wore a pow bracelet with Lt C
446 Ward Way Reedsport OR - Oregon 97467 United States
R.I.P. Lt Col Charles Brownlee - never forgotten
I too wore Lt Col Charles Brownlee's name on a POW is bracelet until it broke in half. I have it in my jewelry box to this day.
Although I did not know you, you are forever in my heart and will not be forgotten. I have frequently spoken to you throughout my life and will continue to do so until the day I die. R.I.P.
Jan 7, 2013 |
|
|
|
Scott Sharman
scottsharman@sbcglobal.net
Wore his MIA bracelet
I wore an MIA/POW bracelet with Col. Brownlee's name engraved on it. I still have the bracelet, prominently displayed in my home. I think of his family often and pray for them, knowing that grief never fully leaves us.
Jun 13, 2012 |
|
|
|
Roy Spencer
Vietnam Veteran-Air Force Pilot
Story of Two Heroes
On 24 December 1968, then Major Charles R. 'Dick' Brownlee was the pilot of the lead aircraft, call sign 'Panda 01,' in a flight of four. Panda flight was conducting an afternoon strike mission against Route 911, which was the major artery of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail between the Ban Karai Pass and the city of Ban Phaphilang, Khammouane Province, Laos. Panda lead initiated an attack pass on a truck moving along Route 911. As he did so, his aircraft was struck by hostile ground fire and caught fire. Major Brownlee reported, 'fire and smoke in cockpit …. bad ….' followed by a garbled transmission. Search and rescue aircraft (SAR), call sign 'Jolly Green,' were orbiting nearby in case their services were required. As soon as the SAR force heard Charles Brownlee's report of fire and smoke in the cockpit, they flew toward the crippled Thunderchief. Other pilots in the flight observed a parachute fully deploy. They also visually followed it to the ground and saw it enter, then catch, in the dense double canopy jungle within 200 meters of his aircraft's burning wreckage. All attempts to establish voice contact with Major Brownlee were unsuccessful. Further, no emergency beeper was heard. SAR aircraft came under enemy ground fire when they attempted to enter the area in which Dick Brownlee was downed. Because of darkness, subsequent rescue attempts were suspended until the next morning. The next morning A1C Doug King, pararescueman (PJ), volunteered to be the paramedic/PJ assigned to the HH3E SAR helicopter with the mission of recovering Major Brownlee. At 0835 hours, the SAR helicopters arrived in the area of loss. The aircrews had no difficulty in locating Charles Brownlee's parachute with him still hanging in it in the trees. The pilot maneuvered into position, but before Charles King could be lowered to the downed pilot, rotor wash from the SAR helicopter caused Major Brownlee's parachute to dislodge from the trees and fall 70 feet to the ground. A1C King was then lowered by penetrator 100 feet to the ground through a small opening in the jungle. He moved the hoist and cable with him to Major Brownlee's position. After examining Dick Brownlee, the PJ radioed that the pilot 'was inert,' but did not elaborate further. After freeing Major Brownlee from his parachute harness, Charles King secured him to the hoist, which was intended to drag him through the brush and under a fallen tree for a distance of over 20 feet to reach the open area from which both men could be lifted out of the jungle. With the pilot ready to be hoisted from the ground, A1C King reported he had not yet secured himself to it when the two Americans began receiving enemy small arms fire. The PJ then radioed he'd been hit and directed the SAR helicopter to pull up because enemy forces had moved within 30 feet of their position. Unfortunately as the helicopter pulled away, the hoist line snagged in the trees and broke dropping both Charles King and Dick Brownlee roughly 10 feet to the ground. At the same time, the helicopter came under heavy ground fire itself forcing it to abandon any additional rescue attempt. At the time the SAR operation was terminated, Dick Brownlee and Charles King were listed Missing in Action. This status determination was made in spite of the overwhelming knowledge that both men were in eminent danger of being captured. Major Brownlee and PJ Charles Lee's story is one of heroism on a grand scale.
Dec 25, 2011 |
|
|
|
Jim Helmick
fellow vet
Seattle Wa 98146 USA
for you & your family & friends...we didnt forget about you!...Rev 21 4&5.
Dec 25, 2010 |
|
|
|
Bob George
bobgeorge@ocfa.org
355, TFW., 354, TFS. - Takhli, '68.
Hi 'Major,' (I know, you've been promoted) I visited the Traveling Wall, this past weekend and honored you and many friends, whom, I found there. I will never, forget, that Christmas Eve., listening, in vain, to the rescue, attempt and then again, on Christmas Day. I briefed, your flight that day, at Intel and my heart broke, when you didn't return. Sleep well, my friend & hero, you will, never be forgotten, Bob.
Apr 2, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
