SSgt Billy Joe Brown, also known as Billie Joe Brown,
was born in Nocona, Texas, on May 14, 1922.
Nocona is located about 50 miles east of Wichita Falls and within 5
miles of
the Red River and the border with Oklahoma.
His enlistment record notes that he had four years of high school ,
attending Prairie Valley High School which is north of Nocona.
Below are his Registration Card, Enlistment Record,
one page of his IDPF with a complete list of stations,
and a certificate from the University of Tulsa .
He enlisted on 14 November 1942 in Dallas Texas.
His first station was Sheppard AAF, Wichita Falls, Texas
from January through the end of February 1943.
He was placed in the Enlisted Reserve and on 26 February 1943
was transferred to the University of Tulsa
and the 75th College Training Detachment.
In August 1943 he transferred to San Antonio.
This most likely was at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center.
He departed for Lowry AAF, Colorado, in January 1944.
There are no details of what his training was for
at any of his stations, but most likely was for Gunnery.
In between his time at Fort Myers and Clovis AAF, Billy Joe was granted
15 days leave.
He spent this time in Nocona and married Roma Jean Hamilton.
They had attended Prairie Valley High School with
Billy Joe graduating in 1942 and Roma Jean in 1944.
By September 1944 he was at Clovis AAF, New Mexico.
This is where he most likely became a member of the 1st Lt Earl B Fisher
crew.
SSgt Brown was placed on Permanent Flying Status 28 September 1944.
They departed Clovis for Herington AAF, Kansas, on 20 December 1944.
The 498th Bomb Group Morning Report for 19 January 1945 states that
the crew arrived on Saipan that date.
Also noted is that their orders came from 21st Bomber Command.
B-29 Little Jo, T Square 1, was shot down on the
29 April 1945 mission to Miyakonojo Air Field, Kyushu
More information can be found at the
Fisher Crew
and
The 73rd Bomb Wing
Mission 63 Report
Below are his Registration Card, Enlistment Record, List of Stations,
and
Certificate from the University of Tulsa
This link from the Mansell POW MIA web site has extensive information
concerning Fukuoka POW Camp #1
Page
6 Fukuoka Camp
used with permission of Wes Injerd
