Brown, Lanny Kay (P2, C1, L14)

Private First Class Lanny Kay Brown, 19, of Windy, Wayne County, died on 15 July 1970, by electrocution when he was struck by lightning during annual training with his unit at Fort Knox. He was in active duty for training status. Brown was a member of C Battery, 1st Battalion of the 623rd Field Artillery of Monticello and was standing inside a tent in the unit’s bivouac area in Training Area 11 at Fort Knox at approximately 8:30 p.m. during a violent thunderstorm when he was electrocuted. Lightening is believed to have struck a nearby tree and traveled through the ground striking Brown. Another soldier was in the tent with him at the time of the incident just a few paces away but was unharmed.

The other soldier with him immediately sought help from the next tent and his fellow soldiers and the battery executive officer were at his side rendering aid almost immediately and the battalion surgeon was at his side within minutes. Efforts to resuscitate him in the field and at Ireland Army Hospital were not successful.

Brown joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in June 1968 less than a month before his eighteenth birthday. At the time of his enlistment he reported his occupation as farmer and later as a surveyor with the state highway department. Brown was a graduate of Wayne County High School and was married. He attended basic training at Fort Campbell and advanced training at Fort Sill. He was promoted to Private First Class in June 1969. He was attending only his second Annual Training with the unit. He is buried at Taylors Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Wayne County. A marker in his honor is located near the flag pole at the Monticello Armory.

PFC. Lanny Brown Killed by Lightning at Fort Knox
Wayne County Outlook, Monticello, July 23, 1970
Nineteen-year-old Pfc. Lanny K. Brown was killed by lightning Wednesday night, July 15, at Fort Knox. He was a member of Battery C, First Battalion, 623rd Artillery with Headquarters in Monticello. He had gone there with the local guard on Saturday, July 11, for two week's training.
Pfc. Brown was struck by lightning during a violent thunderstorm there about 8:30 as he stood inside a tent in a bivouac area on the south side of the military reservation, according to Army authorities. Two other men in the tent who were seated on wooden bunks when the bolt hit, were not hurt.
Brown was pronounced dead on arrival at Ireland Army Hospital after a medical team tried to revive him at the scene.
He was born July 29, 1950, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ola Brown of Windy who survive him. He was employed here at the State Highway Department with the engineers. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marilyn Ragan Brown.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Richard Lee Funeral Home with Bro. Tommy Nelson officiating.
Burial was in the Taylor's Grove Cemetery with the Richard Lee Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

This Marker
Dedicated to the Memory of
PFC LANNY K. BROWN
Btry C 1st Bn 623rd Artillery
Kentucky Army National Guard
WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN
THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY.
PFC BROWN WAS KILLED BY
LIGHTNING WHILE ATTENDING
ANNUAL TRAINING
AT FORT KNOX KENTUCKY
15 JULY 1970.