Fort Bliss honors retired Command Sergeant Major Curtis Lee Brown

The 1st Armored Division and the El Paso community gathered at Fort Bliss, Texas, on August 10, 2026, to honor the life and legacy of retired Command Sergeant Major Curtis Lee Brown, who passed away at age 101.

Brown’s military career spanned over 30 years, beginning with his enlistment in 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His service included participation in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Berlin Airlift. He made history in 1960 as one of the first African Americans to be promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

Beyond his military achievements, which included leading over 10,000 personnel at the 94th Air and Missile Command and developing curriculum for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Brown was a prominent civic leader in El Paso. Following his retirement in 1975, he remained active in the community for five decades, working with the NAACP and participating in local political campaigns.