Background
He was the son of later Governor of Massachusetts John Brooks.
He was the son of later Governor of Massachusetts John Brooks.
Born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, Brooks was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant, October 1, 1807. He commanded the detachment of Marines on Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry"s flagship, United States Ship Lawrence. He was killed in action during the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813.
Concurrent with the issuance of Congressional Gold Medals to Commodore Perry and Jesse Elliott, Congress awarded Silver Medals (modeled on the Perry medal) to each commissioned officer and one to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant
John Brooks, Junior. of the United States. Marine Corps, who was killed in the engagement. The destroyer United States Ship Brooks, launched in 1919, was named for him.