Eldridge W. Brown                                                                       

Retired U.S.A.F. Maj. Eldridge W. Brown, 88, of Thomasville, Ga., formerly of Dothan, passed away on March 1, 2009.
Mr. Eldridge was born May 10, 1920, near McAlester, Okla. He graduated from Anadarko High school in Anadarko, Okla., on May 18, 1938. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as a private in December of 1939. He was a sergeant when he entered the Aviation Student Program in April of 1942. He completed the third phase of flight training and was awarded his wings at Ellington Field, Texas, on Nov. 10, 1942.
After receiving his wings, he was assigned to the 100th Bomb group as a co-pilot, flying B-17's. After completing the three phases of training with the 100th, he was sent back to Gowan Field, Idaho, in April 1943 to train as a first pilot in B-17's. He became a flight commander before finishing the third phase of combat crew training at Sioux City, Iowa, during the summer of 1943.
In September of 1943, he was selected as a flight commander instructor to train replacement B-17 combat crews for the European theatre. During the next nine months he was responsible for the training of 30 B-17 combat crews: 10 at Kearney, Neb., and 20 at Sioux City.
He left Sioux City just before his 24th birthday in May 1944 after being assigned to the 18th bomb group at Dalhart, Texas. The 18th had been selected to train in the new bomber.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Lula R. Brown of Thomasville; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Allan Schroeder of Boca Raton, Fla.; nephew, Mike Schroeder of Boca Raton, Fla.; stepdaughter, Patricia Herring and husband, Larry of Thomasville; step-grandchildren, Chadwick and Patrice Horne of Los Angeles, Calif., Angela Strelich of Sandy, Utah, and Stacey and Frank McGarr of Cordele; special friends and former co-pilots, Frank Andreski of Las Vegas, Nev., Ken Bryan of Silver City, N.M.; formation flying partner, Bill Parker of Franklin, Tenn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Ruby Brown; sister, Mary Elizabeth Barry; brother, Sherwood Brown. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com
Allen & Allen Funeral Home of Thomasville, Ga., (229) 226-6331, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.

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