Sam Brown (military)

Brown was born in Arkansas in a military family with a father and two younger brothers who also served in the War on Terror after the September 11 attacks.[3] He was educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2006.[4][5] He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University.[6]

After completing his training from the United States Army Infantry School, Ranger School, and Airborne School, he joined 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.[6]

In 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan.[6] Later, in September 2008, while supporting the multinational cooperative project of delivering a turbine to the Kajaki Dam,[7] he and his soldiers were wounded by an improvised explosive device when responding to another US Army unit that was ambushed and in a direct fire.[4]

As a result, thirty percent of his body was burnt, and he lost his left index finger.[4][8][9] Before the incident, he was serving in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Kandahar.[8] Later, he was evacuated and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.[8] Due to this event, he is sometimes called Burning Man.[4]

His recovery from the burn wounds and experimental pain management solutions were covered by multiple media outlets. He was a participant in medical studies using virtual reality to reduce pain during physical therapy sessions.[7] His physical therapy was a long and painful process that lasted several years.[10]

In 2011, Brown retired as a Captain from the U.S. Army.[6] He returned to Afghanistan to provide inspiration to US troops deployed there in 2012 and to have a chance for a "proper exit".[11]

Brown founded Palisade Strategies, a firm that provided emergency pharmaceutical support to Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics in cases where the local system needed to engage with the local private sector. He sold the business in 2022.[12]

In 2014, Brown ran in the Republican primary for the Texas House of Representatives in District 102.[9] He finished in third place with 27.5% of the vote.[13]

In 2021, Brown launched his campaign to become a US Senator from Nevada.[2] His campaign drew national attention, both from media and fundraisers.[14][15] He raised over $1 million every quarter of his campaign as he sought to challenge a Republican who was endorsed by Donald Trump for the US Senate seat.[16]

Brown earned the support and endorsement of the local and state political party leaders.[17] Ultimately, his campaign against Adam Laxalt failed in the primary election.

Subsequent to this loss, Brown formed the Duty First PAC.[18] As of 2023, the Duty First PAC had spent most of its contributions to repay debts from Brown’s own 2022 campaign, with only 7% of its spending going to other Republican candidates.[19] In July 2023, he announced his second candidacy for the U.S. Senate, this time challenging incumbent Jacky Rosen in the 2024 election.[20] His second campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Senators Steve Daines of Montana[21] and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.[22]

Brown followed his 2022 campaign for US Senate by becoming the chairman of the non-profit organization Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition.[23] The organization focuses on efforts to end human trafficking, advance criminal justice reform, and assist Nevada families who are dealing with poverty.[24]

In May 2009, Brown married Amy Larsen, an Army first lieutenant from South Dakota and critical care dietitian who worked in the Department of Defense Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.[4][8][9] The couple have three children and continued to live in Texas for several years after they both completed their military service in San Antonio. He first became involved in politics to continue serving while living in Dallas.[25] Brown and his family have lived in Reno, Nevada, since 2018 and are active members at their church, Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks.[26]

• Combat Infantry Badge
• Bronze Star Medal[5]
• Purple Heart[27]
• Army Commendation Medal with Combat "V" device and oak leaf
• Northwood University Gallery of Distinction[28]

• Official website