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Brian Scott Perlewitz
BRIAN SCOTT PERLEWITZ
Birth June 30, 1947
Hometown Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Parents Ralph L. and Ann B. (Radocha) Perlewitz
Military branch Army
Early Life
Brian Perlewitz was born on June 30, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Ralph L. and Ann B. (Radocha) Perlewitz. He had two brothers, Roger and Mark, and a sister, Susan. The Perlewitz family lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ralph Perlewitz served as an Army Lieutenant during World War II. Brian was a 1965 graduate of Custer High School in Milwaukee. While in high school, he was a member of the wrestling and football teams.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Perlewitz attended UW-Platteville in the fall of 1965 and continued his enrollment for one and a half years. He was pursuing an engineering major. He had a fiancée, Bonnie Hempel.
Military
Perlewitz enlisted in the Army on March 22, 1967. After completing basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, from May 29, 1967 to July 28, 1967 where he was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of Infantry Individual Fire Crewman. Ordered to Vietnam, he reported on Aug. 21, 1967 and was assigned to Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Six months into his tour, he requested a transfer to serve as a helicopter aerial (door) gunner. That request was not approved based on the need of a continued requirement of his specialty with his unit.
The citation accompanying a Bronze Star Medal with “V” provides details of his heroic actions follows: "Private First Class Perlewitz distinguished himself by heroism in connection with ground operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 December 1967 while assigned to Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. On that date, Private First Class Perlewitz was serving as a rifleman on a search and destroy operation when his company became heavily engaged in combat with a Viet Cong battalion. As the company mounted an assault on enemy positions, it immediately began suffering numerous casualties when the insurgents detonated claymore mines in its advancing elements. Observing a wounded comrade lying in an open area, Private First Class Perlewitz, with complete disregard for his own safety, rushed through intense enemy automatic weapons fire to administer first aid to the wounded soldier. As Private First Class Perlewitz was attempting to rejoin his comrades and renew the attack, the order was issued to disengage. He returned to his wounded comrade and carried him fifty meters to a small landing zone for evacuation. After the company had been reinforced, a second assault was mounted against the well-entrenched enemy. He again exposed himself to intense fire in order to aid another injured man. Although an armed claymore mine was immediately to his front, he remained with his wounded comrade and continued to place effective fire upon the enemy. Because of his courage, the lives of two comrades were saved. Private First Class Perlewitz’s valorous actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and the United States Army."
Specialist Four Perlewitz again distinguished himself by heroism. The citation accompanying a second Bronze Star Medal with “V” follows: "Specialist Four Perlewitz distinguished himself by heroism in connection with ground operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 March 1968 while assigned to Company A 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. On that date, Specialist Perlewitz was acting squad leader with his company’s lead element on a search and destroy operation near the village of Thai Hang in Bien Hoa Province. As his squad was moving through dense underbrush, Viet Cong activity was detected to its front. Realizing the possibility of an ambush, Specialist Perlewitz unhesitatingly advanced to the front of the formation to determine enemy positions and to provide early warning in case of a Viet Cong attack. Through the thick jungle, he observed an enemy bunker complex. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Perlewitz exposed himself in order to direct his squad’s deployment and point out enemy positions. Without warning, the Viet Cong detonated a claymore mine mortally wounding Perlewitz. Specialist Four Perlewitz’s valorous actions, and devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself, the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and the United States Army."
Specialist Perlewitz is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee.
The family of Brian Perlewitz writes, "Our Brother Brian was your typical teenager who loved hunting, fishing, camping, and fixing cars. What made him special was his ability to help family and friends with anything; repair or update problems in their home, refinish a bathroom, change the oil or flat tire on the car. Any small task that overwhelmed relatives was easily tackled by Brian.
His confidence, devotion, and leadership were just beginning to exert itself as was his endurance to face tasks that had to be done and accept that role.
Little did we the siblings foresee the heroism that Brian would exhibit to disregard his own wellbeing and save lives, and it did not surprise us one bit.
We are blessed and have a gift in remembering the attributes of a true hero. Our favorite picture of Brian is him lying in the bush of Vietnam, in full army camouflage, with his weapons at his side and a big smile on his face. A happy moment in his life we will always treasure. Thank you for honoring Brian and all the service members today."
Perlewitz’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal with valor device and an Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars, Vietnam Military Merit Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civic Action Unit Citation, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Badge with rifle bar.
Brian Perlewitz’s name appears on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., on panel 45E, line 58.
