Doug Brown | U.S. Marine Corps

First Sergeant Earl Douglas Brown, affectionately known as Doug, was born to a military family in Cherokee, North Carolina. He is proud of his Cherokee and Irish ancestry, but he is a true American through and through. Doug’s father and brothers were all military men, so at the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, which led to a decorated military career.

Doug served in Vietnam from 1964-1965 and again in 1967, 1968, and 1969.

In Vietnam, he served in a special unit called the “Force Recon Rangers.” While stationed there, he assisted with secret patrols across the border and special operations. In 1962, before his 1964 descent to Vietnam, Doug was a Presidential Honor Guard to President John F. Kennedy. He would guard the Oval Office and make sure no one got to the president. “Every morning I would open those big oak doors to the Oval Office for the president.” When asked what he thought of President Kennedy, he spoke fondly of his memories of him. “I thought he was a great guy”. His children, Bobby and Caroline, used to roll across our shoes with their strollers”.

Doug recalls the first time he was sent overseas. “I was afraid,” he stated, but that fear soon disappeared. On March 8th, 1965, by order of President Johnson, his company was sent to guard a U.S. Air Force base. “It was 112°. It was hot! The mosquitoes could pick you up and fly away with you,” he recalled.

Doug has received many accolades and awards during his military service, including two Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Achievement Award, the P.U.C. Presidential Union Citation, the N.U.C. Navy Unit Citation and five South Vietnam Awards.

After the war, Doug applied to be a firefighter. He took a written test and was then sent to school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While stationed in Billings, Montana, he flew airplanes during forest fire outbreaks. He eventually was transferred to Governors Island, where he remained for 15 years until his retirement at Fort Hamilton in December 2004.

Doug married Mary (Marie) Mea in August of 1964. He had met her while he was working at the White House, and she was a college student on tour. They have one daughter whom Doug loves with all his heart. He also has one grandson and two granddaughters, ages 16, 14, and 6. Doug has lived a tremendous life, full of heroism and devotion to his country. Doug enjoys the quieter pace of life now, while residing at The Arbors at Islandia West. He is active in our veteran affairs and was even in combat with Pat, our veteran liaison, in Vietnam. Doug also enjoys chatting with friends and sharing his experiences with staff.