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NEWS | Jan. 16, 2019

JBLE Honors Gold Star Family Member

By Tech. Sgt. Carlin Leslie 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

“I had never heard his voice before listening to the tapes, so every time he spoke, the squadron would tap me on the shoulder, until I could learn his voice.”

The Airman and Family Readiness Center, in accordance with the Gold Star Family Member installation access card initiative, honored U.S. Navy Commander Kerry Beasley as their first U.S. Air Force Gold Star Family Member at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 9, 2019.

“It is our honor to celebrate the service of Maj. Wayne Brown II, Beasley’s father, by issuing the GSFM Defense Biometric Identification System card and GSFM lapel pin to Beasley,” said Marjorie Spates-Pichon, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Team Lead.

When Beasley was 5-months-old her father was killed in action in July 1972 on his second deployment during the Vietnam War.  While flying a night mission with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, U.S. Air Force Capt. Wayne G. Brown and his pilot, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gordan Tushek were struck by friendly fire. The accident caused them to eject and land in the mountainous area of northern South Vietnam.

According to an article written by Tushek, Wayne was on the ground in the valley on the other side of the mountain. Because of the extent of Wayne’s injuries, the first rescue attempt was conducted for him.

“The attempt was not successful because of very strong winds and enemy ground fire,” Tushek said. “About two hours after the rescue attempt, I heard gunshots from the direction that I had last seen the Jolly Green rescue helicopter. I knew in my gut what that probably meant.”

Capt. Wayne G. Brown II, Missing in Action, July 17, 1972, has been since posthumously promoted to Major.

“I was 5-months-old and my parent’s only child, my mom and I were the legacy left behind,” Beasley said. “Now that my mother has passed, I am it, and my children will be the next generation.”

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force GSFM DBIDS card initiative launched May 15, 2017. Only available to Air Force GSFMs, the card gives the member access to local installation events and A&FRC services.

A GSFM is defined as a surviving immediate family member of those killed in action, terrorist attacks, or from injuries sustained in theater. The card was issued in a team effort by Air Force Families Forever, A&FRC, GSFM initiative and the 633rd Security Forces.

“You can see the joy in the Airman’s eyes, getting to honor this family with the first gold star DBIDS card here at Langley Air Force Base,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Butte, 633rd Security Forces non-commissioned officer in charge Pass and I.D. “It truly was a team effort with all the organizations involved, making the Beasley family feel at home.”

The Air Force started this initiative to honor the sacrifices made by the fallen members, ensuring surviving AF GSFMs have access to obtain support.

According to Beasley the support she has received from Langley Air Force Base, the 497th TFS members, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron helicopter pilots, chaplain and members that knew her father have been the silver lining.

At one of the heritage events for the 497th TFS, the members sat behind Beasley as she listened to declassified flight recordings of her father’s flying missions. That was the first time Beasley had heard her father’s voice, so the squadron members would tap her on her shoulder each time he spoke, so she could learn to recognize it.

“That’s the legacy, that’s the pay off, being part of something bigger after an unspeakable tragedy and loss,” Beasley said. “You can still find that family and you don’t know what you are going to find, every year there is something else.”

For more information about the AF GSFM program please contact the A&FRC at 764-3990. For information about the U.S. Army Survivor Outreach Services at Fort Eustis contact the support coordinator at (757)878-3887.

Portions of this article were provided from “Fighter Pilots Have No Fear, Jolly Green Giants are Always Near” by Gordon Tushek and Charles Rouhier.