The USS Brown (DD-546) was a Fletcher-class destroyer laid down in 1942, launched, and commissioned in 1943. After commissioning, she departed with TF 50 en route to the Pacific, where she screened carriers. Designed for speed, agility, and firepower, she played a critical role in WW2, participating in numerous Pacific Theater operations, including the Aleutian Islands, the Philippines campaign, and the Battle of Okinawa. After an overhaul in 1945, the destroyer served at Okinawa, participated in Japan operations, and was decommissioned in 1946. Recommissioned in 1950, she reported after shakedown to Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, in 1951. In the following months, the ship served with Task Forces 77 and 95 and participated in the siege of Wonsan Harbor on two occasions. Her next WestPac tour was between 1952 and 1953, during which she operated on the Formosan Patrol. The vessel made four further Far Eastern tours and operated along the West Coast before decommissioning in 1962. For her services rendered during the Okinawa operation, the USS Brown received the Navy Unit Commendation, 13 battle stars for her World War II duty, and two battle stars for her Korean War service. Although an essential component of vessels built before the 1980s, especially of the WW2 naval fleet, asbestos posed a lasting risk to sailors, impacting their health decades after service.
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