F. Taylor Brown (August 11, 1925 – July 11, 2011) was a United States Navy rear admiral, distinguished naval aviator, and test pilot known for his long military service, aviation achievements, and leadership in aircraft testing and operations.

Born Francis Taylor Brown in Ashland, Wisconsin, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in May 1943 at age 17 as a Seaman Second Class and Aviation Cadet. He was later commissioned as an ensign and designated a naval aviator in November 1945. Over his 36-year active-duty career, from 1943 to 1979, Brown logged more than 4,500 flight hours in over 65 aircraft types, including 2,900 hours in jets and 517 carrier landings. His roles included fighter squadron commander, test pilot, ship commander, and senior operational leader.

His major accomplishments included winning the jet division of the Bendix Trophy Race at the 1948 Cleveland National Air Races, setting a world time-to-climb record to 20,000 meters in 2 minutes and 58.5 seconds in an F4H-1 Phantom II in 1962, and completing the first transatlantic flight in a single-engine jet. During the Vietnam War, he led the first U.S. Navy strike on North Vietnam in 1964 as commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 143 and later coordinated joint Navy-Air Force operations in 1965 as commander of Air Wing Nine aboard the USS Ranger and USS Enterprise.

Brown also commanded the USS Guadalupe from 1969 to 1970 and the USS Inchon from 1971 to 1972. He held several key leadership positions, including head of the Flying Qualities Branch at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, commander of the Naval Air Test Center there, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London, and deputy director for international programs under the Secretary of Defense.

After retiring from the Navy in 1979, Brown joined Falcon Jet Corporation in Little Rock, Arkansas. He began as vice president and program manager in 1980, overseeing modifications to U.S. Coast Guard Falcon 20 aircraft, and later became senior vice president and general manager in 1985. He retired from Falcon Jet in 1991.

That same year, he was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame for his contributions to aviation. He later served on the Little Rock Airport Commission beginning in 1995. Brown died in a car accident in Little Rock on July 11, 2011, at the age of 85.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Francis Taylor Brown was born on August 11, 1925, in Ashland, Wisconsin. He was the son of Frank Edward Brown and Lavina May Taylor. Publicly available information about his early childhood is limited.

Education

Brown entered the Navy’s Aviation Cadet program in 1943 after high school. The program provided intensive flight training and led to his commissioning as an ensign in 1945.

He later attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from June 1949 to December 1950 while remaining on active duty. From July 1968 to January 1969, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Military Career

Enlistment and Early Service

Brown enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in May 1943 during World War II. He was called to active duty in August 1943 and entered aviation cadet training. On November 21, 1945, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and designated a Naval Aviator after completing fighter training in the F6F Hellcat.

In October 1948, he transferred from the reserves to the Regular Navy. That same year, flying a North American FJ-1 Fury, he won the jet division of the Bendix Trophy Race with a speed of 489.53 mph.

Aviation Achievements and Test Piloting

In 1957, Brown attended the Empire Test Pilot School in Farnborough, England, where he trained on a variety of British aircraft. From January 1958 to July 1959, he served as a maintenance officer with Fighter Squadron 174 and developed a new periodic maintenance concept for the F8U Crusader that was later adopted Navy-wide.

After attending the Naval War College from August 1959 to June 1960, Brown was assigned in July 1960 to the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, as head of the Flying Qualities and Performance Branch of Flight Test. There he helped evaluate aerodynamic and performance characteristics for new aircraft.

On March 31, 1962, Brown piloted an F4H-1 Phantom II from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, and set a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale world time-to-climb record to 20,000 meters in 178.5 seconds, or 2 minutes and 58.5 seconds. He also completed the first transatlantic flight in a single-engine jet.

Vietnam War Assignments

Brown served as executive officer of Fighter Squadron 143 from July 1962 to July 1963, then as commanding officer from July 1963 to July 1964. During that time, the squadron flew F-4 Phantoms and was selected as the best fighter squadron in the Pacific Fleet. In August 1964, Brown led VF-143 in the first U.S. Navy strike against North Vietnamese forces, targeting torpedo boats at Hon Gai near Hanoi.

From January 1965 to January 1966, he served as commander of Carrier Air Wing Nine. While aboard the USS Ranger and later the USS Enterprise, he led combat missions over North Vietnam and helped oversee the first coordinated U.S. Navy and Air Force attacks against ground installations there.

He later served as executive officer of the USS Oriskany from February 1966 to July 1967 and participated in two deployments to the South China Sea. From August 1967 to June 1968, he attended the National War College. After completing his degree at George Washington University, he returned to active duty in February 1969 as commanding officer of the USS Guadalupe, which deployed to the South China Sea in support of Vietnam operations.

Senior Commands and Staff Roles

In June 1970, Brown was assigned to the Pentagon as the Navy’s Deputy Electromagnetic Coordinator. From September 1971 to November 1972, he commanded the USS Inchon during operations in the Mediterranean and North Sea.

From December 1972 to July 1974, he served as Deputy Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the National Military Command Center. In August 1974, he took command of the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, serving until June 1976. He then served as defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London from July 1976 to June 1978.

His final active-duty assignment, from July 1978 to August 1979, was as Deputy Director for International Programs in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Retirement from the Navy

F. Taylor Brown retired from active duty on August 1, 1979, after more than 35 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he held the rank of Rear Admiral.

Post-Military Career

Falcon Jet Corporation

After retiring from the Navy, Brown joined Falcon Jet Corporation in Little Rock in February 1980 as Vice President and Program Manager. He oversaw the modification and assembly of 41 Falcon 20 aircraft acquired by the U.S. Coast Guard for maritime surveillance missions.

In January 1984, he became Vice President for Operations. In March 1985, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager of Falcon Jet’s Little Rock operations. He remained in that role until retiring from the company in April 1991.

Later Activities

In 1991, Brown was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. In December 1995, he joined the Little Rock Airport Commission. During retirement, he remained active in aviation organizations including the Golden Eagles and the Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association.

Personal Life

Family

Brown was first married to Alice Today Brown, who preceded him in death. He later married Shirley Thomas Brown, with whom he lived in Little Rock for 19 years until his death.

He had two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie Brown Heitz and Diane Brown Weaver. Through his second marriage, he also had two stepdaughters, Cindy Thomas Pugh and Jill Thomas McIntyre. He was survived by grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Death

F. Taylor Brown died on July 11, 2011, following a one-vehicle automobile accident in Little Rock. A memorial service was held on July 16, 2011, at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock. His ashes were later interred in Westfield, Wisconsin.

Awards and Honors

Military Decorations

Brown received the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, and two Air Medals. His awards recognized both combat service and aviation achievements, including his 1962 world time-to-climb record and his leadership during Vietnam War operations.

Other Recognitions

In 1991, Brown was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. His 1962 climb record was officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

References

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette obituary
Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association biography
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum archive
FamilySearch record
Naval Aviation News
U.S. Navy historical records
FAI world record listing
Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame

Wikipedia

EPNAAO

Air and Space