Clent O. Brown was born in Denmark, Arkansas on January 27, 1916. His parents were John Emmit Brown and Gracie Lee Ransom Brown. He made his home with his sister, Inez Ray of 22539 N. Vermont Ave. Clent was employed with a Lomita plumbing contractor before he enlisted in the Army on July 12, 1941.

Clent fought in four major battles in the South Pacific, earning the rank of Technical Sergeant in the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on December 18, 1944 on the Isle of Leyte in the Philippines.

“We will remember — every day is Memorial Day. We will pray that we may never add another name to that cold, black wall.”

- Jerry Ronan, Torrance Historical Society Board Member and WWII Veteran