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.
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Anzio Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
May / 1944
Description On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out of the beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line was breached in May 1944.
