Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, to honor fallen U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Wesley J. Brown, who was killed at Pearl Harbor during World War II.
Flags will be lowered on Tuesday, August 31st, following President Biden’s Proclamation to lower flags until sunset on Monday, August 30th to honor and pay our respects to the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Wesley J. Brown was assigned to the USS Oklahoma when it was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor and capsized during multiple torpedo hits on December 7, 1941. Brown was 25-years-old. Navy personnel have been identifying remains of sailors lost at Pearl Harbor.
Brown, his mother, and sister had lived in Oto, Iowa. Brown worked for a cousin on a farm before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was buried in the Little Sioux Township Cemetery of Smithland, Iowa this past Saturday.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
