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Photo of David M. Brown

Photo: NASA / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

David M. Brown

David M. Brown was born April 16, 1956 and died February 1, 2003 (aged 46). From Arlington County, Virginia, United States.

American military officer

  • Virginia
  • military officer
  • astronaut
  • physician

David M. Brown, born on April 16, 1956 in Arlington County, Virginia, United States, was a military officer, astronaut and physician. David M. Brown died on February 1, 2003, aged 46. Schooling on record includes Yorktown High School and College of William & Mary. Listed accolades include Congressional Space Medal of Honor (2004), NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2003), Defense Distinguished Service Medal and 5 more.

My Take

David M. Brown's resume genuinely stops me cold: Navy captain, physician, astronaut — and once a circus performer. That range speaks to a relentless, curious kind of courage. His first and only spaceflight ended in the 2003 Columbia disaster during reentry, a loss that still lands heavily. The posthumous Congressional Space Medal of Honor only underscores what was sacrificed at the very summit of a dream. I find his story a sober reminder of the human cost behind exploration, and of how much we owe to people willing to climb that high knowing the risk.

This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.

1. Profile

Name (English)
David M. Brown
Name (Japanese)
デイビッド・ブラウン
Reading
でいびっど・ぶらうん
Born
April 16, 1956 – February 1, 2003
Origin
Arlington County, Virginia, United States
Occupation
military officer / astronaut / physician / circus performer
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Aries / Monkey

2. Background

High school
Yorktown High School
University
College of William & Mary

Awards & achievements

  • 2004 Congressional Space Medal of Honor
  • 2003 NASA Distinguished Service Medal
  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation
  • NASA Space Flight Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal

4. About this entry

Tags

  • Virginia
  • military officer
  • astronaut
  • physician
Last updated

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was David M. Brown born?

David M. Brown was born on April 16, 1956.

When did David M. Brown die?

David M. Brown died on February 1, 2003, aged 46.

Where was David M. Brown from?

David M. Brown was from Arlington County, Virginia, United States.

What did David M. Brown do?

David M. Brown worked as military officer, astronaut, physician, circus performer.

Where did David M. Brown study?

David M. Brown attended College of William & Mary.

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