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ARMY SPEC. MARVIN C. BRIESACHER
ARMY SPEC. MARVIN C. BRIESACHER

SHOT BY BERSERK GUARD NOVEMBER 3 Spec 5 Marvin Briesacher Dies of Wound

FARMINGTON – Specialist 5 Marvin Carroll Briesacher 22, died Friday morning, 1 ½ months after being shot by a berserk guard in an enlisted men’s club in Vietnam.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Briesacher, 611 Walnut, Farmington.
Funeral arrangements were not completed, but the body was being transported from Vietnam to Farmington. His mother said the body will arrive in from 7 to 10 days and will possibly be accompanied by Floyd Solberg, with the Navy in Guam, as an honor guard. Solberg was like a brother to him, acquaintances said.
The incident happened November 3 of 1971 in an enlisted men’s club, and the mother is not certain of the location. Two soldiers were killed and Marvin was critically wounded in the lung, diaphragm, liver and the 8th vertebra of the spine.
Part of the lung was removed by surgeons, and Marvin appeared to be improving. He was able to write letters to his parents.
Then by Thanksgiving Day he had become paralyzed from the waist down. He underwent more surgery for an abscessed liver and was never able to write home after that.
The soldier was an electrician with the 192nd helicopter division. This was his second trip to Vietnam and he had been in the combat zone since August of this year. By August of 1972 he would have served three years.
Marvin had entered the army as a draftee, and then had re-enlisted so he could continue his schooling, his mother said. He had visited Farmington last June.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his sister Bonny of Lakeville.
Arrangements are being made through Fort Snelling where a Lt. Maloney is handling details.