Kenneth James Brenner
Corporal, U.S. Army

On 29 March 1969, then-Private First Class Kenneth James Brenner was serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Brenner was serving as a medic in Tay Ninh Province. While his Company was securing a perimeter to allow helicopters to deliver supplies, the unit came under intense fire from a nearby wood line. Exposed to a hail of bullets, PFC Brenner advanced over 100 meters to reach several wounded comrades who lay close to the enemy bunkers. Firing his rifle at the communists, he treated the casualties and aided in their evacuation. When all the injured had been rescued and his company withdrew, he went to the rear and continued to administer medical treatment and help load ambulance helicopters. After air strikes were directed against the enemy, he joined his unit in a second assault. As he tried to help a man caught in the hostile killing zone, he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. PFC Brenner's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Brenner received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Kenneth James Brenner (ASN: US-56432124), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Private First Class Brenner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 March 1969 as a medic in Tay Ninh Province. While his Company was securing a perimeter to allow helicopters to deliver supplies, the unit came under intense fire from a nearby wood line. Exposed to a hail of bullets, Private Brenner advanced over a hundred meters to reach several wounded comrades who lay close to the enemy bunkers. Firing his rifle at the communists, he treated the casualties and aided in their evacuation. When all the injured had been rescued and his company withdrew, he went to the rear where he continued to administer medical treatment and helped load ambulance helicopters. After air strikes were directed against the foe, he joined his unit in a second assault. As he courageously tried to help a man caught in the hostile killing zone, he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. Private First Class Brenner's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2138 (June 17, 1969)

Honors

The name Kenneth J Brenner is located on Panel W28 Line 79 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Corporal Kenneth James Brenner is buried at Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery in Dickinson County, KS.

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