The_Birmingham_News_Sun__Dec_13__1942_5 sons.jpg

Early life

Leslie Edwin Browning was born 25 Feb 1925 at Millerville, Clay County, Alabama.

On 11 Sep 1943 at age 18 his life ended. This is his story.

********

Early years…

Leslie was the son of John Daniel Browning and Dora Lowery Browning. He went to school at Millerville and Clay County High Schools.

25 Jun 1942

Local Young Men are Now in the U S Navy. Great Lakes, Ill., June 21.. Leslie E Browning 17 years old who recently enlisted in the US Navy and is going through recruit training.

19 Nov 1942

Brownings Are Doing Their Part In Service. The sons of Mr and Mrs Dan Browning of Ashland.

The Brownings have six sons, five of whom have already volunteered and are now in the service. Three of the Browning boys are in the Navy; Harold and Edwin at Great Lakes, Il, while Ned is located in San Diego, California. Lt. Kiffin Browning is with the Cavalry at Ft. Mead, S.D.; Cadet Jamie Browning is in the Air Corps at Randolph Field at San Antonio, Texas. These fine young men have all done their part in athletics in the High Schools at Millerville and Ashland, being outstanding players in both basketball and football. Mr. Browning is also in the service of Uncle Sam, being Rural Letter Carrier on Route 3, Ashland. The Brownings are doing their bit.

13 Dec 1942 Bham News.

Mrs J D Browning and five sons pictured in service, Ned, Apprentice seaman, stationed at San Diego, Harold, apprentice seaman stationed at Great Lakes, Il; Edwin , seaman second class stationed at Great Lakes, Il; Jamie Browning, second Lieutenant in the Air Forces at Randolph Field, Tx., and Kiffin Browning, second lieutenant in the cavalry at Ft. Meade, South Dakota.

23 Sep 1943

Edwin Browning Reported Missing.

Mr and Mrs Dan Browning received a message last Saturday stating that their son, Edwin Browning was missing in action in the Mediterranean Sea. Edwin enlisted in the Navy about 18 months ago. The telegram follows:

The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Leslie Edwin Browning, Seaman First Class, United States Navy, is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The Department appreciates your great anxiety but details not now obtainable and delay in receipt there must necessarily be expected. Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Naval Personnel.

5 Oct 1944

Secretary of the Navy writes Mr and Mrs Dan Browning.

My dear Mr and Mrs Browning: Your son, Leslie Edwin Browning, Seaman First Class, U S Navy has been carried on the official records of the Navy Department in the status of missing in action since 11 September, 1943. Early in the morning of that day, the ship in which your son was serving, the USS Rowan, was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The severity of the explosion caused the ship to sink very rapidly. Visibility was good and the sea was calm. An American vessel was dispatched immediately to the scene of the sinking and rescued the survivors. In view of the rapidity in which the vessel sank, and the prompt rescue facilities available under favorable weather conditions and considering the length of time that has elapsed without any indication that your son survived, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is deceased. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, his death is presumed to have occurred on 12 September, 1944, which is the day following the expiration of twelve months in the missing status. I extend to you my smmpathy in your great sorrow and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his country upholding the highest tradition of the Navy. The Navy shares in your bereavement, and has felt the loss of his service. Sincerely yours, James Forestal.

15 Jul 1948

VFW Post No 3215 changes it name to Browning Brothers Post No. 3215.

Resolution presented to the parents of Leslie Edwin Browning and Ned Erskine Browning.

Two brothers, Leslie Edwin Browning, Seaman First Class and Ned Erskine Browning, Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class, made the supreme sacrifice during action in World War II.

7 Oct 1948

On Thursday afternoon, Sept. 30 the Veterans of Foreign Wars Browning Brothers Post 3215 held a dedication service at the Memorial Building located about four blocks north of the courthouse square. The building contains approximately 3500 square feet of floor space and is divided into a lounge, kitchen, two rest rooms, a check room and recreation hall. It is furnished with modern equipment donated by VFW members and friends. It was constructed under the supervision of J P Haynes of Ashland. At 5 oclock the dedication service began, O L Sparks, commander of the Post was master of ceremonies. The Clay County Band, under the direction of R T Butler opened the program by playing the National Anthem. This Memorial Building will stand through the years in memory of them and of all our comrades who died on the fields of battle.

Browning, Leslie E Seaman 1C USN Alabama on The Tablets of The Missing

Here are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who sleep in unknown graves.

Leslie Edwin Browning

Alabama S1c Uss Rowan World War II Feb 25, 1925 - Sept 11, 1943 MIA Tyrrhenian Sea

S1 Leslie E Browning

Birth: 25 Feb 1925 Clay County, Alabama, USA

Death: 12 Sep 1944 (aged 19)

Burial: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy

Plot: Tablets of the Missing

Memorial #: 56306972

Bio: Seaman First Class Leslie Edwin Browning served on the USS Rowan (DD-405)In May and June 1943 Rowan carried out anti-submarine patrols and escorted shipping in the western Mediterranean. She participated in the Sicily landings in July and, in September, took part in the invasion of the Italian mainland at Salerno. On the night of 10-11 September 1943, while escorting empty ships out of the landing area, Rowan engaged attacking German motor torpedo boats. She was hit by a torpedo and sank quickly, with the loss of over two-hundred of her crew members.

Inscription: SEAMAN 1C USN ALABAMA

Entered the service from Alabama.

Maintained by: Hal G. Brown (47225725)

Originally Created by: War Graves (6)

Added: 6 Aug 2010

URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56306972/leslie-e-browning

Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 08 March 2021), memorial page for S1 Leslie E Browning (25 Feb 1925–12 Sep 1944), Find a Grave Memorial no. 56306972, citing Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy ; Maintained by Hal G. Brown (contributor 47225725) .

********

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

If you noticed anything I missed in this profile, you can contact me at (walterdenney@gmail.com).