Ernest Franklin Brown was born on 14 October 1922, in Marion, Ohio. His parents are Ernest A. & Jessie A. (Calvert) Brown, both of Marion, Ohio. Ernest’s father is a veteran of World War One, having been awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Ernest F. Brown was employed with the Huber Manufacturing Company, prior to entering service.

Ernest F. Brown entered service on 18 April 1942, with the United States Naval Reserves. Brown took his training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois. He attained the rank of Seaman Second Class
(S2C).

Brown was assigned as a radio operator aboard the U. S. Destroyer De Haven (DD-469). The USS De Haven departed Norfolk, Virginia, for the South Pacific on 8 November 1942. The De Haven arrived at Guadalcanal on 7 December 1942. The De Haven was assigned to escort duty, making several voyages between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo. She was assigned to Task Group 67.5 on 20 January 1943.

The following is an account of the combat actions of 1 February 1943, in which the Destroyer DeHaven was screening six LCT’s and a seaplane tender that were establishing a beachhead at Marovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, De Haven was warned of an impending air attack. She sighted nine unidentified planes and opened fire as six swung sharply toward her. She splashed three of these planes, but not before all six had dropped their bombs.

At about 1457, a swarm of 14 aircraft was sighted off DeHaven’s starboard beam at a distance of 25,000 yards. At first, it appeared as though the enemy had not seen the tiny convoy and, for a time, the aircraft remained on their original course. Then, suddenly, six aircraft broke away from the formation and streaked toward the destroyers and their charges.
DeHaven’s guns, as well as Nicholas’ and those on the landing craft, opened up. Fiery tracers stabbed into the oncoming flock, with bursts of flak blossoming about the planes. Three of the aircraft were sent spiraling in flames into the sea. The remaining three bolted through the heavy mantle of flak and AA fire and, for some reason, singled out DeHaven as their choice target.
The 469 off Savo Island; Four bombs plunged down upon the destroyer, one of which struck the bridge, killing and wounding all personnel within the structure. Lying dead among the ruins was her captain, Commander Charles E. Tolman. Two bombs smashed on her bow and another exploded below her waterline, splitting open her hull plating.
Severely crippled, DeHaven lost all power, came to a halt and began to settle swiftly by the bow. Five minutes after the last bomb had hit, the destroyer’s bow was well under, her stern high out of the water. Ensign C. L. Williams, the only officer who was not wounded, realized that DeHaven was going down and passed the word to abandon ship. While the personnel below decks were scrambling to escape from out of the topsy-turvy hell in the lower compartments, DeHaven suddenly upended and plunged to her watery grave, taking 167 members of her crew down with her, to rest forever on the floor of “Iron Bottom Sound.”

From Blood on the Sea-American Destroyers Lost in World War II by Robert Sinclair Parkin.

Since S2C Ernest F. Brown was working as a radio operator, he was likely working on the bridge when the Japanese dive bombers made a direct hit to the bridge. It was reported all crew on the bridge were killed at that time.
In February of 1943, his family was notified that he was Missing in Action. It was not until 2 April 1944, that he and others missing from the crew, were officially declared dead.

S2C Ernest F. Brown’s remains were not recovered. His name appears on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.
S2C Ernest F. Brown is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.