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In Memory of Army Specialist 4^th Class

Charles John Milbrandt

Aberdeen, South Dakota, Brown County

 July 27, 1947-May 13,1967

Killed in action in Quang Nagi Province, South Vietnam

Charles John Milbrandt was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on July 27, 1947, to Lloyd R. and Doris (Becker) Milbrandt. He had a brother, Byron and three sisters, Joan, Jean, and Carol. Charles grew up in Aberdeen, and attended elementary and high school there. Charles was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Specialist 4th Class Charles Milbrandt enlisted in the Army on April 19, 1966. He completed basic training and automotive mechanics at Ford Leonard Wood, Missouri. Sp 4 Milbrandt had been stationed in Germany, when he volunteered to go to Vietnam. He received his general education development (GED) certificate during his tour of duty in Germany. Milbrandt arrived in Vietnam on August 10, 1966, and was assigned to C Troop, 3rd Squad, 4th Calvary Regiment, 25th Infantry Division as an armoned personnel carrier driver, and crew-served weapons specialist.

Army Sp 4 Charles John Milbrandt was killed in action on May 13, 1967, when his platoon came under attack by enemy artillery and mortar fire. At the time of his death, Sp 4 Milbrandt was manning a machine gun on the defensive perimeter, and was mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire. His commander stated the Specialist 4 Milbrandt stayed with his weapon through the imminent danger, trying to observe and slow the expected ground attack. For this gallant action Sp 4 Milbrandt was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for heroism. Sp 4 Charles John Milbrandt was also awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device for valor, the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Gallantry Cross with Palm (Vietnamese), the Defense Service Medal, the Expert Rifle Badge, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Sp. 4 Charles John Milbrandt was buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Charles John Milbrandt Army Reserve Center in Aberdeen was named for him. Specialist 4th Class Charles John Milbrandt’s name can be found on panel 19E, line 110 of the Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Kori Lee Nutter, 7th Grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, March 1st, 2005 respectfully submitted this entry. Mr. and Mrs.Lloyd Milbrandt, Aberdeen, South Dakota, parents of Sp 4 Charles John Milbrandt, provided information for this entry