G. I. Slain in Vienna by Russian Soldiers
By The United Press.
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VIENNA,
Friday,
May 4, 1951-A
United States military
policeman
was shot and killed by two Russian
soldiers in the international
sector of Vienna early today.
The United States military police
identified him as Cpl. Paul J.
Gresens of New York.
Corporal Gresens was hit four
times in the stomach by slugs
from a machine pistol, United
States officers said.
An Austrian
civilian was wounded in the leg.
Cpl. Jack Morgan of Keokuk, Iowa, on
patrol with Corporal Gresens, fired back at the
Russians.
The official report
said the
two Americans had spotted the
uniformed Russians on the street and called
on them to halt for a check of their
documents. The Russians swung
around
and
opened fire, then fled into the
darkness. ---------------------------------------
Soviet Authorities Agree to Joint Inquiry Into Killing of New York Soldier in Vienna
Special to the New York Times Soviet military authorities
in Austria agreed today to a joint investigation into the shooting and killing
of Cpl. Paul Gresens of New York early this morning by Russian soldiers. A preliminary investigation
today indicated that it might be difficult to fix responsibility for the
incident; the most serious that has occurred between the United States and
Soviet occupation forces in Vienna. Corporal Gresens and Cpl, Jack
Morgan, of the 796th Police Battalion, who were patrolling Vienna's
international district, challenged two armed Russian soldiers. According to
Communist newspaper accounts, the Americans fired first. According to Corporal
Morgan, they merely challenged the Russians with drawn pistols, whereupon the
Russians wheeled and fired their machine pistols without warning. Corporal
Gresens was hit. Corporal Morgan sought
sanctuary behind a pillar of St. Peter's Church and opened fire, without
success. Examination of Corporal
Gresens' pistol today indicated, military sources said, that four shots had been
fired from it. According to Brig. Gen.
William Fitts, Jr., who commands the United States forces in Vienna, any element
is permitted to send armed soldiers into the international district, and it was
not the duty of the Americans to challenge the Russian soldiers unless they had
caught them committing a crime. Walter J. Donnelly, United States High Commissioner, said
tonight: "Soviet authorities in Vienna have agreed with United States military
authorities to undertake a joint investigation as requested by me this morning
into the tragic death of a young American soldier fatally shot by a Russian
soldier. They have expressed regret at the incident.”