First Name: Jan
Last Name: Friedel
Middle Initial:
Date of Birth: N/A
Sex: Male
Martial Status: Married
Number of Children: 0
Home Town: Seaford, Delaware
Education Completed: Not Sure
Other Occupations:
Branch of Service: Marines
Highest Rank: N/A
Serial Number: N/A
Platoon: N/A
Age at Start of Service: Not Sure
Years of Service: 3
Combat Veteran: Yes
Time in Combat: Not Sure
Place of Combat: N/A
Awards:
Date of Suicide: N/A
Suicide Method: Firearm
Veteran’s Story: I had not seen Jan since High School, but heard of his tragic suicide from a mutual friend. Jan loved to hunt and fish, and enjoyed competitive shooting and archery. He and I were always knocking each other out of 1st place in field archery. I understand that after he went to Vietnam that he was never the same — “completely changed” according to a mutual friend. This resulted in a broken marriage and ultimately his taking his own life. Knowing Jan and how he loved the outdoors and life itself, I have found this extremely hard to comprehend and accept. His dad and I were great friends and hunting buddies for years, and my heart goes out to a broken man. This should never have happened, and I’ll never forget the loss.
Submitted By: Donald Bennett
Relationship to Veteran: Friend
