Age 19 - From Mahwah, New Jersey
Killed in action April 1, 1966 - Saigon, South Viet Nam

MEMORIAL FROM NEW JERSEY
VIETNAM VETERAN'S MEMORIAL
(http://www.njvvmf.org)

Patrick John Brems was born on September 19, 1946 in River Edge, NJ and attended River Dell High School.  In 1965 his parents moved to Mahwah, NJ.  He volunteered for the US Army and then volunteered for Vietnam and attained the rank of Private Fist Class (PFC).
 
"It looks like a place at war," he wrote in his first and last letter home, "It's very dirty and very hot and I have been sick since I arrived here."

 On April 1, 1966, Brems was killed in a terrorist explosion in front of the Victoria Hotel in Saigon leaving behind his parents and a 14-year-old sister, Coleen.
 
Brem's parents stated in a local newspaper article that they had read the story about the hotel explosion during breakfast and both had a feeling that Patrick was one of those who died.  It was actually no surprise to Mary Brems when, later in the day, a priest and two Army men came to her home to tell her the news.

INFORMATION FOUND AT VIETNAM VETERANS

MEMORIAL FUND WEBSITE (www.vvmf.org)

PATRICK JOHN BREMS
is honored on Panel 6E, Row 70 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Full Name: PATRICK JOHN BREMS
Wall Name: PATRICK J BREMS
Date of Birth: 9/19/1946
Date of Casualty: 4/1/1966
Home of Record: MAHWAH
State: NJ
Branch of Service: ARMY
Rank: PFC
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: PR & MR UNKNOWN



MEMORIAL POSTED FOR PFC BREMS AT
VIETNAM VETERAN'S MEMORIAL FUND (www.vvmf.org)

PFC Brems had been posted at the entrance of the Victoria Officer's Quarters to provide security.

A suspicious vehicle pulled up and was challenged. The Viet Cong occupants and Brems exchanged small arms fire.

1LT Chester Lee and his driver, SP4 Michael Mulvaney were patrolling nearby and responded to assist.

The ensuing firefight alerted the building's occupants and gave them precious time to seek safety before the terrorist's car bomb exploded. 

Posted by: MSG Otto Uebel, USA (Ret)
Relationship: A Fellow MP
Thursday, July 31, 2003

CASUALTY RECORD FOR PATRICK JOHN BREMS
FROM WWW.NO-QUARTER.ORG
(http://www.no-quarter.org/gui/detail.php?ID=5488)

GENERAL/PERSONAL
Home: Mahwah, New Jersey
Birth Date: 1946-09-19
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married/Single: Single
Religion: Roman Catholic
Citizen: Yes

MILITARY
Service: Army
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 12734141
Component: Regular
Grade: E3
MOS: 05B10
Length of Service: 00
Start of Tour: 1966-03-21

CASUALTY
Casualty Date: 1966-04-01
Casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Multiple Fragmentation Wounds
Air or Ground: Ground Casualty
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Province And Military Region Unknown
Posthumous Promotion: No change
Body Recovered: Body recovered
Location on The Wall: Panel 06E - Row 070
RefNo: 1826
Processed Date: 6604

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