Brian F. Wedlake was born on November 11, 1947. His home of record is Midland Park, NJ. He graduated from Midland Park High School where he played football, basketball and had been on the track team..
He enlisted in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
Wedlake was killed in action on May 2, 1968, while in combat near the Demilitarized Zone.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Wedlake, survived Wedlake.
Midland Park High School displays a plaque of names to honor the young men from Midland Park who died in Vietnam. The town of Midland Park named Wedlake Court in his memory.
The following is an excerpt from The Record dated Monday, January 29, 1973:
“I was expecting it ever since I learned his battalion was in almost daily combat—so it’s not a terrible shock to me,” said the mother of Brian Wedlake.
He had joined the Marines in August 1967 and was with the Second Battalion of the 4th Marines by March 1968. He drove a truck before enlisting.
“I would like to think this is all for something,” said his mother. “He said he hoped the peace talks would accomplish something.”
Sources: Various websites, newspaper clippings, The Record, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024