In the world of special operations, some warriors earn their place in history not only through skill but through the selfless way they live and die. Technical Sergeant John W. Brown was one of them — an Air Force Pararescueman who could out-run, out-fight, and outlast nearly anyone, yet carried himself with the humility of a quiet professional. On August 6, 2011, aboard the ill-fated CH-47 Chinook call sign Extortion 17, he gave his life so that others might live.
Early Life and Athletic Spirit
Technical Sergeant John W. Brown’s story begins in Sacramento, California, but his life journey would take him far beyond his hometown. Raised in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Brown stood out from an early age for his athletic ability and natural leadership. He excelled in football, basketball, and swimming — earning a swimming scholarship to John Brown University.
Friends and family remember him as a gentle giant — strong, humble, and fiercely loyal. His mother, Elizabeth Newlun, recalls that if she wanted to have a serious conversation with him, she’d have to meet him on the basketball court, where his guard would come down and his warmth would shine through.
Brown’s athleticism was legendary among his peers. High school friend and Arkansas state representative Jon Woods remembered, “When you think of the ideal model of a soldier, he would be it. He could run all day… even after a long day of practice, he’d put on his sneakers and run some more.”
Answering the Call to Serve
While his early ambitions leaned toward the medical field, with plans to become a nurse anesthetist, Brown’s path changed when he watched a video showcasing the Air Force’s elite special tactics operators. Inspired, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 18, 2002.
He completed Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in May 2002 before entering the grueling Pararescue Pipeline — one of the most physically and mentally demanding special operations training programs in the U.S. military.
Distinguished Career in Special Operations
Brown’s operational career reflected a relentless drive to serve on the front lines of danger and rescue:
- 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia (2004–2006): Conducted combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions, honing his skills in high-risk extractions and battlefield medicine.
- 31st Rescue Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa (2006–2009): Operated throughout the Pacific theater, often in austere and unpredictable environments.
- 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC: Joining the Air Force’s most elite special operations unit placed him alongside the nation’s most highly trained warriors, including Navy SEALs and Delta Force operators.
As a Pararescueman (PJ), Brown’s mission was clear: risk his life so others might live. He was a combat medic, jumper, diver, and battlefield rescue specialist — equally skilled in delivering medical aid under fire as he was in inserting into enemy territory.
Extortion 17 – A Final Act of Service
On August 6, 2011, Brown was deployed to Afghanistan’s Tangi Valley as part of a quick-reaction rescue mission. That night, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter — call sign Extortion 17 — was tasked with inserting a rapid response force of Navy SEALs, PJs, and other special operators to support a besieged Army Ranger unit.
As the aircraft approached its objective, it was struck by enemy fire, killing all 38 people aboard, including 30 Americans. It remains the deadliest single incident for U.S. special operations forces in history.
Brown was performing the duty he had dedicated his life to — responding to troops in danger — when he made the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembering a Gentle Giant
Elizabeth Newlun describes her son as “Rambo without the attitude” — a quiet professional who found joy in sports, laughter, and camaraderie. While the pain of loss is deep, she speaks with pride: “I want to make sure everyone knows he’s a hero. I can fall apart later.”
Brown’s friends remember a man who could balance relentless physical drive with kindness and humility. His love for competition was matched only by his dedication to his team and mission.
Final Resting Place and Legacy
TSgt John W. Brown now rests at Arlington National Cemetery, among the nation’s most honored warriors. His name is forever linked with the solemn memory of Extortion 17, a reminder of the risks America’s special operators take every day.
Arlington National Cemetery Section 60 Site 9941
(Photo: Arlington National Cemetery)
The Air Force Pararescue motto, “That Others May Live,” was more than words to John Brown — it was the creed by which he lived and died.