This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SP 4 Johnny Conroy
to remember
Eschenburg, Emil, BG USA(Ret).
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Contact Info
Date of Passing Nov 25, 2004
Location of Interment Montana State Veterans Cemetery - Helena, Montana
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
During the invasion of southern France, Eschenburg became lead scout (through booby traps and land mines) for his 200 men in the middle of the night after the landing. Later he was attached to the 6th Army and participated in the liberation of the Gironde Estuary in western France and the opening of the Port of Bordeaux to Allied shipping. On VE Day, Eschenburg’s outfit took over the Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich.
Eschenburg returned for stateside duty after the war, and then, during the Korean War in 1952, he commanded the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division.
Eschenburg’s outfit relieved the Marines who were holding the line next to the Panmunjom Corridor, and engaged in combat against the North Koreans and Chinese.
He served two tours in Vietnam as First Division’s assistant commander. While his superior was stateside, Eschenburg commanded the division during the intense combat of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Determined to continue to lead by example, he spent part of every day under fire with his men.
He also served as aqssistant commanndefr of the 101st Airborne Division in 1969.
Eschenburg retired from the Army in 1970 after 31 years of military duty, 23 years as a parachutist. He served in three wars, spent seven years in combat, fought in 16 battles and received 115 decorations — 77 of those for valor.
Other Comments:
this data about the number of awards is all over the internet. I suspect many of the valor awards are air medals. Still, I can't find anything showing he earned a one. Whatever the total, and I suspect this is true, Geneeral Eichelburg has to be one of the most decorated American warriors in our history. I found a lot of data during hours of research and am satisfied with the awards and information I posted for him. I would like to see his record from NPRC but am not going to start sending for those. I think this guy was a hell of a soldier and am glad I stumbled across his history during basic on-line research.
Aleutian Islands Campaign (1942-43)/Landing of Kiska Island 15 to 16 Aug 1943
From Month/Year
August / 1943
To Month/Year
August / 1943
Description
In June 1942, a Japanese naval task force landed in the Aleutians islands and occupied the islands of Kiska and Attu. It was intended as a diversion to draw American naval forces away from Midway prior to a Japanese assault on the islands. In 1943, the Americans and Canadians organized a force to retake Kiska from the Japanese.
The 34,000 strong force included the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the American-Canadian 1st Special Service Force. The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group was composed of the Canadian Fusiliers, Winnipeg Grenadiers, Rocky Mountain Rangers, Régiment de Hull, 24th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, 46th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Canadian Artillery, 24th Field Company Royal Canadian Engineers, 24th Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Services Corps, and the 1st Company of the St. John Fusiliers.
A fleet of 3 battleships, 2 cruisers, and 19 destroyers supported the landing force as it set sail on13 August 1943. When the Allied force began landing on Kiska on 15 August, the island was deserted. The Japanese Imperial Navy completed the evacuation of Kiska only four days before the American- Canadian force arrived. Allied aerial reconnaissance did not detect the Japanese evacuation operation due to poor weather and heavy fog. The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade was stationed on Kiska until 22 December 1943.
Although the Canadians did not see action, sickness was rampant among members of the 13th Infantry Brigade. The cold and damp of the inhospitable climate claimed as many, if not more, casualties as any enemy fire would have inflicted.
