CROWN POINT | A decorated World War II veteran featured in a prominent display at the Lake County Historical Museum died Sunday.
Lt. Col. Roger E. Brown, 92, a former postmaster in Crown Point for 20 years, was awarded two bronze stars for his life-saving heroism while stationed in the Philippine Islands.
Lake County Historical Museum Director Bruce Woods said Brown’s display in the military section contains several photos of him serving in the U.S. Army.
A squad leader of the 136th Bearcat Infantry regiment, 33rd Division, Brown, at the battle of Luzon, led his fellow soldiers, including his wounded commander, to safety while under heavy mortar fire, his son Paul Brown said.
“It was a Forrest Gump kind of thing,” Paul Brown said. “He was quite a hero in World War II.”
Brown, described by his son as a true patriot, was a lifetime member of Crown Point’s American Legion Post 20 and VFW. Serving a total of 38 years in the U.S. Army from 1942 until his retirement in 1980, Brown was commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Post in Valparaiso.
When his brother Charlie Brown founded the Crown Point Little League, Brown served as president. He was also a member of the Crown Point Rotary Club.
Brown donated $50 monthly to at least six organizations including the United Way and Humane Society, Paul Brown said.
Paul Brown said his mother, Mary Lou Brown, 82, died three weeks ago.
A memorial service for Brown and his late wife, Mary Lou, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Cedar Lake American Legion Post 261, 13050 Washington St.
The Browns are survived by eight children, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
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