Michael Brown

Master Sergeant, United States Army

April 8, 1959 – February 16, 2013

Age – 53

Three Oaks, Michigan

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Enduring Freedom

Special Forces

Died as a result of a homicide while in El Salvador

Master Sergeant Michael James Brown, 53, of Three Oaks, Michigan was murdered on February 16, 2013 while visiting his estranged wife in El Salvador.

 Brownie was born April 8, 1959 in Michigan City, Indiana to Virgil and Ruby (Pivoney) Brown. He was raised in Lakeside and graduated from River Valley High School in 1977, playing football and running track all four years. He received his Associates Degree in Building Construction Technology from Ferris State University.

He proudly served his country in the US Army Special Forces (Green Beret). Brownie served 14 years active duty and 14 years as a Guard and Reserve. During this time he visited 60 countries, built a school in a remote, hostile part of El Salvador and built infrastructure for Special Forces Camps in Central America. He used his knowledge of 4 languages to train foreign military forces. Brownie spent 18 months in Iraq / Qatar and 4 years in Afghanistan.

He not only served his country, earning many awards of valor, he also served his community, neighbors, and friends. He served as Sergeant at Arms for Post 204 American Legion, Three Oaks, he was a member and officer of the Three Oaks Lions Club, he was a mentor for 4-H construction classes and helped to build Timbertown at Watkin’s Park. He was a carpenter, building homes as Brownies Construction Company. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Three Oaks. Brownie enjoyed playing volleyball, bowling, beanbag cornhole, playing poker, and riding his Harley. Gentle, tough, giving, he was a true hometown hero. 

She said Brown (or “Brownie” as everyone called him) grew up in Lakeside and graduated from River Valley High School in 1977 and then Ferris State University before joining the U.S. military. Brown spent more than 20 years serving his country and had tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Until recently Brown also ran a Three Oaks-based construction company. Grynwich said he also helped build schools in Afghanistan and worked overseas as a linguist after retiring from the military.

Brown was visiting his estranged wife in El Salvador when he was shot at least five times in the head and shoulders during an ambush on a coffee farm. His companion, the woman he was with, was wounded but survived and was placed under police protection.

According to Salvadoran police, Brown was driving a rental car with his ex-wife when a group of rebels attacked them. The shooting was described as a calculated, well-planned act, with Brown’s friend and best friend, Carey Brown, suggesting it was not a random act of violence. State Department had previously warned citizens of El Salvador’s ongoing high levels of violence despite a truce between major street gangs.

In August 2014, Salvadoran authorities deported Nuri Liseth Aquino-Torres (Brown), 28, from Utah to El Salvador to face charges of orchestrating the murder. She was accused of planning the killing of her estranged husband, Michael James Brown.

Michael J. Brown’s murder in El Salvador was a targeted killing during a visit to his estranged wife, involving a rebel ambush. The case drew attention from both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities, with a suspect later deported to face charges.