Aichi D3A Type 99 “Val” dive bomber
HELP US ADD A “VAL” TO OUR DEC. 7, 1941 AVIATION BATTLEFIELD EXHIBIT!
AT 7:55 AM ON DEC. 7, 1941, OUR ENTIRE WORLD CHANGED FOREVER...
Hours earlier, on the evening of December 6th, our father, 2nd Lt. Harry Winston Brown, and his roommate and best friend, John Dains, attended an evening dinner dance with fellow Air Corps pilots in Honolulu. They partied like there was no tomorrow, and headed back to Wheeler Field to sleep it off at the Bachelor Officer’s Quarters.
The next morning, they were awakened by the noise of what they thought was just another drill. But this time, Pearl Harbor was under attack.
Groggy from the night before and still in their tuxedo pants and socks, our father and his friend immediately jumped into action.
As sons of heroic pilot Harry Brown, we are asking for your help to add an essential piece of Pearl Harbor history – a Japanese Aichi D3A Type 99 “Val” dive bomber – to Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum's December 7, 1941 aviation battlefield exhibit.
As one of the main aircraft used by the Japanese, the Val helps to tell the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor and that of the heroes who fought back on that fateful day – heroes like our father.
HONOR THOSE WHO DEFENDED OUR FREEDOM
Our father, 2nd Lt. Harry W. Brown, only 20 years old at the time, was one of five pilots to get airborne on December 7th. Once airborne, he was able to shoot down two Japanese aircraft, reported to be Japanese Vals.
During the second wave of the attack, our father and four others – George Welch, Kenneth Taylor, Philip Rasmussen and Lewis Sanders – collectively shot down 12 enemy aircraft.
We are asking you to help us keep our father's story alive.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW — PLEASE HELP US PRESERVE WWII HISTORY
WE NEED YOUR HELP
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO ADD A RARE WORLD WAR II JAPANESE AICHI D3A “VAL” DIVE BOMBER TO PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM'S DECEMBER 7, 1941 AVIATION BATTLEFIELD EXHIBIT.
With your help, for the first time anywhere in our country, all three of the Japanese aircraft types used in combat at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – the Zero, Kate, and Val – will be on display in one location – Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Imagine, a special exhibit featuring attacking and defending aircraft displayed inside an authentic World War II hangar that withstood the 1941 attack.
Will you help us achieve this vision?
Please make a gift today to help the Museum acquire a Japanese Val, to create a one-of-a-kind exhibit sharing the battle, the impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the amazing courage of those who instinctively flew into action to defend each other, Pearl Harbor and our country.
This is America’s WWII aviation battlefield – please help us share the story!
Thank you for your support,
Bryan W. Brown & Forrest G. Brown
Sons of WWII American Ace Harry Brown