John, only son of John and Mary (Moore) Brown served his country in both World War I and World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 16 December 1920 during WWI. He was discharged on 27 July 1921 and went home to Texas to farm. Later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on 29 June 1922 at Camp Travis, Texas and served with the 2nd Signal Company, 2nd Division. Having married a Solomon, KS girl, he remained in Kansas after being discharged on 15 September 1922. After their divorce, he returned to Texas, where he worked as a plumbing salesman. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on 17 November 1942 at the age of 40. John was again discharged on 4 February 1943, having been assigned to Company B. Eighth Battalion, Texas Defense Guard, Waco, Texas. He was married to the former Edith Irene Palzer from Solomon, Kansas. They had four children, Reata, Charles, Irene, and Doris.