Young Soldier mourned at memorial ceremony

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Angela Mc Kinzie | Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) firing squad, render honors to a fallen comrade during a memorial ceremomy at Yusufiyah, Iraq, Feb. 9. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs)  

03.05.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Angela Mc Kinzie 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Spc. Brian Browning, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., who served as a gunner with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) was remembered by fellow Soldiers during a memorial ceremony in Yusufiyah, Iraq, Feb. 9.

Browning was killed by enemy fire while on guard at Patrol Base Rushsdi Mullah, Iraq, early in February.

"Browning was a great Soldier and everyone loved him," said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Harris, a native of Watertown, N.Y., who serves as a platoon sergeant with Company B, 4-31. "The Iraqi children would follow him around and imitate his movements."

Browning was described as a funny guy who had a love for samurai swords. He was a friend of everyone in the platoon.

"He got along with everyone," Harris said. "Wherever he went, he fit right in."

Although the loss of Browning was difficult, memories were shared that offered some type of comfort.

"I used to sleep above Browning and one morning he woke up covered in water," said Pvt. Patrick Harmon, a gunner with 4-31 and native of Pomona, Calif. "He blamed me for putting water on him, but I never did. To this day the water remains a mystery."

Harmon was a close friend of Browning.

"He was also famous for quoting movies," Harmon recalled with a smile. "He could come up with a movie quote for any situation. He was impeccable at it."

Iraqi soldiers were also at the ceremony to show their respect for a young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for others.

"He will be missed by everyone," Harris said of Browning. "This is a loss that will never be forgotten."

Browning's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Service Defense Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Overseas Service medal, the Army Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Browning is survived by his parents Perry and Paula Browning.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2007
• Date Posted: 03.05.2007 09:37
• Story ID: 9319