Spc. Brian Browning of Astoria, Oregon attended Astoria High School but struggled with what his father called the "hierarchy" within the school. He quit after two years and was at loose ends until he enrolled at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center. Brian had long considered joining the military, but when he found he wouldn't get in without a high school diploma, he buckled down and devoted himself to his studies. He entered Tongue Point's masonry program and earned his GED in March 2005 and lost 40 pounds. Three months later he enlisted. Military tradition seemed to be in his family. One grandfather retired from the Navy, his father Perry Browning served in the Navy, and an uncle, Doug Carson, retired from the Army. A cousin was serving in the Oregon National Guard and had recently completed a tour in Iraq. But the decision for Brian to sign up was his own. He was serving his first tour of duty. He had joined the Army about three years before because he wanted to do something for his country and believed in the mission. Brian was at this time considering making the Army a career. He enjoyed driving and "working on things," as well as playing computer games. He also loved to tinker with computers and electronics, taking them apart and reassembling them. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was 20.
Army
4th Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Army
4th Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Spc. Brian Browning of Astoria, Oregon attended Astoria High School but struggled with what his father called the "hierarchy" within the school. He quit after two years and was at loose ends until he enrolled at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center. Brian had long considered joining the military, but when he found he wouldn't get in without a high school diploma, he buckled down and devoted himself to his studies. He entered Tongue Point's masonry program and earned his GED in March 2005 and lost 40 pounds. Three months later he enlisted. Military tradition seemed to be in his family. One grandfather retired from the Navy, his father Perry Browning served in the Navy, and an uncle, Doug Carson, retired from the Army. A cousin was serving in the Oregon National Guard and had recently completed a tour in Iraq. But the decision for Brian to sign up was his own. He was serving his first tour of duty. He had joined the Army about three years before because he wanted to do something for his country and believed in the mission. Brian was at this time considering making the Army a career. He enjoyed driving and "working on things," as well as playing computer games. He also loved to tinker with computers and electronics, taking them apart and reassembling them. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was 20.
Army
4th Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Army
4th Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York
Gravesite Details
Killed in Afganistan War at age 20.
