Considered "one of the most highly esteemed young men in all the Yampa section" according to the Routt County Sentinel. Son of Leighton S. and Jessie Jewel Brown. Came to Yampa as a child. Enlisted December 20, 1917. Member 67th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Division. Fought at battles of Aisne, Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse, Argonne. Wounded at Battle of Soissons on July 20, 1918 and returned to active duty. Killed in action on the Champagne front October 5, 1918. Willard Brown post Veterans of Foreign Wars named after him.