Gifford G. Brown was born on August 6, 1921 in the city of Seattle, King County, Washington to Charles Gifford Brown and Lillian Belle Brown, nee Moshier. Charles Brown was an immigrant from England. Gifford had one sister, Doris Belle Brown. The family lived in Seattle, where Charles was a sheet metal worker. Gifford graduated from Franklin High School in Seattle.

Gifford George Brown registered for the draft on February 14, 1942. He was 20 years old, and had brown hair, brown eyes, and a light complexion. He was employed by the Northwest Lead Company of Seattle. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 27, 1942 in Seattle. He was single, without dependents, and had a high school education. He received his fighter pilot training at Luke Field in Arizona.

Lt. Gifford G. Brown served with the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group. The 339th Fighter Squadron flew P-38 Lightning during the Pacific war. According to Missing Air Crew Report #1773, Lt. Brown flew P-38 #42-66680. On January 17, 1944, the squadron took off from Stirling Field on Stirling Island on a bomber escort mission over Rabaul, New Britain, New Guinea. On the return flight, Brown and several other pilots in the squadron lost their lives after being shot down by enemy aircraft. Brown’s aircraft crashed into Blanche Bay, near Rabaul.

Lt. Brown’s remains were never found. His name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.