Staunton  Brown was a native of Culpeper, Virginia. The third of eleven children, Staunton’s parents were Lafayette and Nina May Brown, both of whom hailed from nearby Madison County. Lafayette was a farmer by trade and when it came time for “Gummie,” as he was called, to register for the draft in 1940 he too listed his occupation as “farmer.” Staunton was assigned to Company B, 116th Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Division. The 29th shipped out to England in September 1942 and began to train for the invasion of France. On June 6, 1944, Staunton and Company B were aboard the second wave of landing craft assaulting the Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach. Brown was killed almost immediately after the ramp of the landing craft dropped. He was buried in a temporary cemetery near Omaha Beach and the local community was stunned to hear of his loss. His parents published a note in the local newspaper thanking everyone for their love and support in the wake of such shattering news. Following the war, Staunton’s remains were sent home, and he was reinterred on May 17, 1948. 

Sergeant Staunton Montgomery Brown,known as “Gummie” to his family, was born December 23, 1918, in Culpeper County, Virginia, to farmer Lafayette Jackson Brown and Nina May Gooch Brown.  Staunton was one of 10 children (3 daughters and 7 sons) and followed his father into farming before entering the Army in May 1941.  He was assigned to Company B, 116th Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Regiment.  The 29th was nicknamed the “Blue and Grey Division” as it included units that had originally fought for both the North and South during the Civil War.  The 116th Infantry Regiment traced its lineage to the famous “Stonewall Brigade” of Virginia.  The 29th shipped out to England in September 1942 and began intensive training in preparation for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France.  On June 6, 1944, Staunton and Company B were aboard the second wave of landing craft assaulting the Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach.  Wading ashore in neck-deep water at 7:30AM, Company B suffered heavy casualties from German machine guns and mortars. Staunton’s company commander, Captain Ettore Zappacosta, was killed almost immediately and Staunton perished as well.  Despite heavy casualties the 29th and nearby 1st Infantry Division eventually prevailed and moved inland toward their objectives.  Staunton was buried in a temporary American cemetery near Omaha Beach.  After the war his remains were returned home at the request of his family and he was re-interred at Culpeper National Cemetery in 1948.  Staunton now rests in Section A1.

Note:  Biographical information on Sergeant Brown courtesy of Jimmy Price and the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) project.

Plaque with Staunton Brown's name at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. 

This is a plaque with Staunton's name at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. 

This is the 29th Infantry Division patch.

This is a Robert Capa photo of Omaha Beach.

This is a newspaper photo of Sergeant Brown.

This is a picture of a landing craft approaching Omaha Beach.

Culpeper National Cemetery

Sergeant Staunton Montgomery Brown, known as “Gummie” to his family, was born December 23, 1918, in Culpeper County, Virginia, to farmer Lafayette Jackson Brown and Nina May Gooch Brown.  Staunton was one of 10 children (3 daughters and 7 sons) and followed his father into farming before entering the Army in May 1941.  He was assigned to Company B, 116th Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Regiment.  The 29th was nicknamed the “Blue and Grey Division” as it included units that had originally fought for both the North and South during the Civil War.  The 116th Infantry Regiment traced its lineage to the famous “Stonewall Brigade” of Virginia.  The 29th shipped out to England in September 1942 and began intensive training in preparation for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France.  On June 6, 1944, Staunton and Company B were aboard the second wave of landing craft assaulting the Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach.  Wading ashore in neck-deep water at 7:30AM, Company B suffered heavy casualties from German machine guns and mortars. Staunton’s company commander, Captain Ettore Zappacosta, was killed almost immediately and Staunton perished as well.  Despite heavy casualties the 29th and nearby 1st Infantry Division eventually prevailed and moved inland toward their objectives.  Staunton was buried in a temporary American cemetery near Omaha Beach.  After the war his remains were returned home at the request of his family and he was re-interred at Culpeper National Cemetery in 1948.  Staunton now rests in Section A1.

Note:  Biographical information on Sergeant Brown courtesy of Jimmy Price and the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) project.

STAUNTON M BROWN

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