KENNETH WAYNE ECKMAN
KENNETH W ECKMAN
52W/12
REMEMBRANCES
honoring you...
Tribute to Kenny
Thank You
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Your 50th anniversary was 3 days ago, so sad.We remember all you who gave their all. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.
Remembering An American Hero
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
Remembrance
Story transcribed by Kristine Murdock, via several telephone conversations with Kenneth's parents, Joe and Jane Eckman in 2008. - I relayed the story to our Davis High Classmates at our 40 Year Reunion, at a special evening honoring our Veterans from DHS Class of 1968
'Ken was born February 6, 1949 at Women's Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He weighed 6 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
He was all boy. He played Little League Baseball, loved animals, swimming, ice skating, but most of all fishing. He was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout.
He was very kind hearted, always giving his lunch money to those who didn't have any. He also gave his new Christmas coat to a boy that didn't have one.
After joining the Army, he was stationed in Germany. He volunteered to go to Vietnam. He borrowed some money from the Red Cross to come home and tell us. We had a good rapport with Kenny, but he was more honest and sensitive with the people and friends he associated with. In being himself he left a great legacy behind, that is a tribute to him.
One morning in July of 1968 at 9:00 AM, the doorbell rang. There were two men in uniform. They don't have to tell you that your son has been killed, you know it. My husband got a call from work, and he knew what had happened also without anyone having to tell him.
Ken was in the A Shau Valley Thua Thien. They rotated him from helicopter gunner, then to gun mount placement, search and destroy. He would go from one job to the next. He was on patrol in the A Shau Valley when he was shot. He was hit in the back side of the head with fragments from a 122 mm Russian Missle.
They got him to a nearby hospital ship. He died there on the operating table. His casualty records state: hostile, died multiple fragmentation wounds, ground casualty. CPL E3.
We had such a hard time getting his body back home. It took 18 days. The 6th Army kept telling us they were having transportation problems. I told them we don't want to hear that. I had a friend in the Pentagon I ask for his help in finding Kenny. They finally found him and 4 other bodies on a dock in DaNang, Vietnam just sitting there with a bunch of supplies. After that he got special treatment and 4 honor guards stayed with him all the way.
His funeral was held at the Community Church in Layton, Ut. We had Pastors there from California and Minnesota. There were several hundred people at his funeral.
We are proud and humble that you all remember Kenny, we hope the legacy he left behind is positive.