Brian Scott Perlewitz- Early Life.

Brian Scott Perlewitz was born on 30 June 1947 to Ralph L (b. 27 October 1918 d. 14 February 1983) and Ann B (b. 8 June 1918 d. 15 February 2014) Perlewitz. Brian had two brothers, Roger and Mark and a sister Susan Della. The Perlewitz family lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, Ralph served as an Army Lieutenant during World War II. Brian had a fiancee, Bonnie Hempel. Brain was a 1965 graduate of Custer high school, Milwaukee.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Perlewitz attended the University of Wisconsin commencing in the fall of 1965 and continued his enrollment for one and a half years.

Military
Perlewitz enlisted in the Army in March of 1967. After completing his training, he was ordered to Vietnam in August 1967 where he served with A Company, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Brigade, 199th Infantry Brigade.

Private First Class Perlewitz distinguished himself by heroism in connection with ground operations against hostile force on 6 December 1967. While serving as a rifleman on a search and destroy operation 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 aide to the wounded soldier. As 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.

On 22 March 1968, now Specialist Four Perlewitz again distinguished himself by heroism. as a squad leader with his company’s lead element on a search and destroy operation near the village of Thai Hang in the 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, Special 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.

Perlewitz’s awards include two Bronze Star Medal's with Combat Distinguishing Device “V” with an Oak Leaf Cluster, The Purple Heart, The Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Frame (unit citation) and the combat Infantry Badge.

Perlewitz’s name appears on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C on Panel 45E Line 58.
He is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Perlewitz, Brian Scott, SP 4