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Cpl. Leo Perlmutter is presented with his Purple Heart medal during a ceremony at Rep. Smith’s Constituent Service Center. From left to right: Rep. Smith, SSGT Anthony Francisco, Cpl. Leo Perlmutter, Kathy Hoernlein, Peter Schneider, and Maj. Daniel Dennen. (Photo courtesy Congressman Chris Smith’s Office)
Cpl. Leo Perlmutter in Vietnam (Photo courtesy Perlmutter Family)
Episode 3250 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Leo Perlmutter finally receiving his medals for the Vietnam War. The featured story is titled: Delayed Purple Heart Awarded To Vietnam Veteran It appeared on the Jersey Shore Online website and was submitted by Jason Allentoff.
Allentoff reported that nearly sixty years after his service in the Vietnam War, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Cpl. Leo Perlmutter has finally received the recognition he earned in combat. Perlmutter was wounded during the Tet Offensive in January 1968, when North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched coordinated attacks across South Vietnam. Amid intense mortar fire, an explosion struck near his position, leaving him injured by shrapnel. At the time, he was unaware of the severity of his wounds until a medic treated him for a head injury.
Although Perlmutter qualified for both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, the Purple Heart was never delivered, leaving a significant gap in his official recognition. That omission was finally corrected decades later when Chris Smith presented him with both medals during a ceremony in Toms River, New Jersey. The event was attended by military representatives, as well as Perlmutter’s family and friends, marking a long-overdue moment of acknowledgment.
Born in Hamburg, Germany, to Holocaust survivors, Perlmutter immigrated to the United States and volunteered for military service during a time of escalating conflict. After returning home, he built a life in New York City, working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor before eventually settling in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Efforts to secure his medals began in 2024, though delays—including lost shipments—prolonged the process. Ultimately, the ceremony not only honored Perlmutter’s personal sacrifice but also reaffirmed the nation’s enduring gratitude for those who served.
Listen to Episode 3250 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Leo Perlmutter finally receiving his medals for the Vietnam War.
