Captain Robert E. Brannum died on 26 August 1983 during a test flight when the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter, #993, he was flying crashed near Christian County, Kentucky.

CPT Brannum was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on 17 January 1957. He attended Knox County Schools, was the Student Council President and a member of the basketball team in high school. He received a four-year ROTC scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he was an honor student. Graduating in 1979, he reported to Fort Eustis, Virginia, as a 2LT in the Transportation Corps. CPT Brannum was later assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for flight school and then to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he flew Black Hawk helicopters.

He served as a Maintenance Platoon Leader and Test Pilot for Charlie Company, 158th Aviation Battalion. At the memorial service in the eulogy, one of Bob’s commanding officers said, “Bob, more affectionately called the “Bald Baron”, was one of those rare individuals who possessed all of the finest qualities. Dedicated and competent, Bob set the example for others to emulate. Always smiling, no one ever dared complain around him about hard work or long hours, because Bob worked harder and longer than any of us. Bob’s professional caliber is best measured by his reputation as a maintenance officer. He worked on each helicopter as if it were his own and steadfastly refused to release it from maintenance until he was satisfied.”

CPT Brannum’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, Jungle Expert Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

CPT Brannum is survived by his wife, Beverly; his daughter, Bethany; his son Blake, and his parents, David and Betty. He is laid to rest in Knoxville, Tennessee, at Woodlawn Cemetery. Building #7244 on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as the Brannum Logistics Complex.