Ensign Brewer was the pilot of a F9F-2B Panther jet fighter with Fighter Squadron 191, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On 7 May 1951, he was flying at about 500 feet above ground, attacking enemy trucks near Inchon, South Korea, when he aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Ensign Brewer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.