Willard John Friese

FRIESE, LUKAVSKY

Posted By: J. Breen (email)
Date: 9/10/2019 at 18:16:12

Killed in Viet Nam – Pfc. Friese dies in action

Private First Class Willard John Friese, 19, died Monday, March 21, 1966 in Viet Nam – the first Washington County soldier to lose his life in the war there.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Friese of route three, Washington.

Private First Class Friese was wounded in action against hostile forces Sunday, at Phu Bai Viet Nam. Other details of his death are not available as yet.

He had joined the United States Marine Corps following his graduation from Washington High School in 1965.

Willard John Friese was born June 20, 1946 in Germany. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church.

Surviving are his parents and these brothers and sisters: Robert of Washington, Mrs. Warren (Mary Catherine) Escher of Washington, Mrs. Terry (Joan) Gent of Wellman, Francis of Wellman, Mrs. Bernard (Donna Mae) Moeller of Keota, Marilyn and Walter of Washington, and Mrs. Everette (Connie) Waters of Minneapolis, Minn.

Also surviving is his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ed Lukavsky of Washington.

Arrangements for the funeral are being handled by Jones Funeral Home but are indefinite at this time.

Source: Washington Evening Journal, March 22, 1966

Funeral Saturday for Pfc. Friese

Funeral services for Pfc. Willard John Friese, 19, who was fatally wounded in Viet Nam, will be held here Saturday morning.

The rites will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. James Catholic Church.

Prayers will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Jones Funeral Home and friends may call there after noon on Friday to pay their respects.

Pfc. Friese, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Friese, was wounded March 20 in Phu Bai while in action against hostile forces. He died Monday March 21.

He had joined the United States Marine Corps following his graduation from high school here in 1965.

Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery.

Source: Washington Evening Journal, April 9, 1966

Willard John Friese memorial in Find A Grave
 

Washington Obituaries maintained by Joanne L. Breen.
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