Construction
Named for Rear Admiral Willard H. Brownson, it was was the first of the Fletcher class destroyers to be built with a "square-bridge" configuration, which allowed greater all-around visibility. Launched on 24 September 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island, N.Y., sponsored by Mrs. Cleland S. Baxter, granddaughter of Admiral Brownson. Commissioned on 3 February 1943, with Lieutenant Commander J. B. Maher in command.

Wartime History
From her commissioning until 11 June 1943, she operated along the northeastern seaboard of the United States and in the North Atlantic as a convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol ship. She made one voyage to North Africa (12–31 May 1943).

On 18 June 1943 she transited the Panama Canal arriving in California on the 28th. She operated briefly along the California coast before getting underway for Alaska in July. Upon arrival, she performed patrol and convoy escort duty until 29 November 1943. She then steamed via Pearl Harbor to the Southwest Pacific.

Sinking History
While screening the landings at Cape Gloucester on December 26, 1943 the ship was hit by two bombs from a D3A2 Val at approximately 14:42. The bombs struck to starboard of the centerline, near number two stack. A tremendous explosion followed and the entire structure above the main deck as well as the deck plating, was gone. The ship listed 10 to 15 degrees to starboard and settled rapidly amidships with the bow and stern canted upward.

The wounded were placed in rafts and at 14:50 the order to abandon ship was given. The amidships section was entirely underwater at that time. There was a single ripple like a depth charge explosion and the ship sank at 14:59. Brownson suffered the loss of 108 of her crew. The remainder were rescued by USS Daly (DD-519) and USS Lamson (DD-367). Brownson received one battle star for her World War II service.

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