Family keeps alive memory of son, brother, killed in Vietnam

Family keeps alive memory of son, brother, killed in Vietnam

BOARDMAN — Words written by a serviceman long ago and far away allow a Boardman family to recall fond memories of him, but also provide a sad reminder of his death.

The family of Navy Corpsman David Larry Eisenbraun has 141 letters the young man wrote home from his time in the Navy. They will go through them Christmas Eve and remember him in fullness of life as well as the tragic gallantry of his death.

It came Sept. 17, 1968, at a place called Landing Zone Margo, in Quang Tri Province, Republic of South Vietnam.

Eisenbraun was treating a seriously wounded Marine when mortar shells began to fall around them. Eisenbraun shielded the wounded Marine with his own body.

The Marine Eisenbraun was treating survived, but a mortar shell that fell nearby took Petty Officer 2nd Class “Doc” Eisenbraun, 20.

Witnesses said he had saved the Marine’s life by shielding him. Eisenbraun received the Purple Heart. While there was talk of putting him in for the Silver Star for bravery, there is no evidence it was ever done, said Eisenbraun’s brother, Michael.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.