Request for MIA Info - Anthony F. Eckhart

RE: Request for MIA Info - Anthony F. Eckhart (jpeters140)

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:19:48 GMT

Sandie...Please contact the historian for the 11th BG ...

contact Phil Gudenschwager [url "mailto:philgu@cox.net"][#0000ff]philgu@cox.net[/#0000ff][/url]. He is currently the 11 BG Association Historian, Secretary and Treasurer. Spike Morley 719-567-9832 [signature]

He should be able to assist you.

Jim :-)

RE: Request for MIA Info - Anthony F. Eckhart (kbnjohnson)

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:15:18 GMT

Sandie

If you haven't sent for your Uncle's Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), it would be worthwhile.

Here is a sample letter sent to me by another contact. I modified it and received my great-uncle's IDPF which gave me and my family the location of his remains, some 60 years after he had been shot down. Sometimes this file can be tough to read, as it will list details of the condition of the body, etc. If your Uncle was declared dead, this file may have the information that led to that determination. In my great-uncle's case, he was first listed as POW, then MIA, then KIA while a POW, then just KIA. All that was over the course of at least a year, but the IDPF seemed to put some pieces together for us.

Write to:

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: AHRC-PER
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0482

To whom it may concern, I am researching my family history and in order to find out just how my Uncle (name), (rank), (Serial Number), (Unit information), (Date of Death), died, I would like to receive a full copy of his Individual Deceased Personnel File.. Our family wishes to fully understand the loss of our Great Uncle during World War Two. The family has many unanswered questions concerning his death and we would appreciate receiving this file as soon as possible. Full NameAddressTel. number.----------------------------------------------------------- It was suggested to me that I make several originally signed copies and keep them with mail receipts. Send it with signed receipt requested and you should receive a letter from them saying your request has been received, with hopefully a quick promise date. I received mine in three months, which is normal. Writing for the MACR will also be useful, there are portions of the MACR that will be contained in the IDPF, but having the full MACR is very helpful too. I hope this helps and good luck in your search. Best Regards, Brett Johnson

RE: Request for MIA Info - Anthony F. Eckhart (tjackson)

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:26:17 GMT

Have you sent for a copy of the MACR? that will give you the names of the crew.
The information I found simply says "nmissing in Central Pacific."

Request for MIA Info - Anthony F. Eckhart (smil1025)

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 19:51:54 GMT

I would greatly appreciate any help in trying to find information about my Uncle Anthony Eckhart.
I am interested in the following:
Name of Plane
Crew Members Names
Location of Crash - Or was he shot down
Did the War Dept look for him and his crew Has anyone tried to recover (dive) to look for this missing plane Are there any pictures available

Anthony F. Eckhart
USAAF
MACR Number 4622 MACR Service Record 0-803954 2LT FOD Page 70
B24 Heavy Bomber S/N 42-73496
Plane went down in the Marshall Islands / Eniwetok in the Central Pacific on May 4, 1944. The crew participated ina bombardment mission to the island of Ponape in the Caroline group and did not return.
Offically listed as dead on Feb 6, 1946 by the War Department
98th Bomber Squadron, 11th Bomber Group, Heavy
Awards: Distinguised Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
He also, at some time, was a co-pilot on a bomber named Heaven Can Wait, this plane was sponsored and christened by Actor Don Ameche.