668th BS Patch

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Cpl. David Scheer Eckert

Airplane Mechanic - Gunner,  32393029

Killed In Training - Oct 18, 1943

668th Bombardment Squadron (L)

 WWII-Medal

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Gunner Wings        Missing Man



  Born: Feb 1917, Mine Hill, Morris County, New Jersey

Entered Military Service: Date: 16-Jul-1942 At: Newark, NJ From: Morris County, New Jersey
NARA Enlistment Record: Enlisted Serial # 32393029

Buried: First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Succasunna, New Jersey, Plot: 800 335

On-line Memorials:
National World War II Registry
Find-A-Grave




Notes:
Nature of Accident: Airplane flew into the trees 2 Mi. NE of Field, while attempting to land.

Cause of Accident: Returned to Field with three-ship formation and found fairly dense smoke and fog over flying field. On attempting to land, flew into trees, hit the ground, exploded and caught fire.

Description:
About 2000 on the night of the 18th, while night flying in weather that had moved in quite rapidly, 1st Lt John H. White, and his gunner, Cpl David S. Eckert, were killed when their plane crashed.
(416th BG History 1943)

10-18-43H. Lake Charles, Louisiana. At 2123, a Douglas A-20G attempting a landing flew into trees two miles northeast of the Army Air Field and Lake Charles, Louisiana, killing 2Lt. John W. White and gunner Cpl. David S. Eckert. The airplane was returning from a night formation/cross-country navigation flight when it flew into the terrain and exploded. Investigators noted that a thick formation of fog, haze and smoke entered the area at about 2100. Other pilots reported that visibility was adversely affected. Another A-20G in the flight of three crashed two minutes later while flying over the burning wreckage. See 10-18-43I.
(Mireles, Vol. 2, Pgs. 552-553)

See also AAR 44-10-18-19



Photos and Documents
1920 US Census
1930 US Census
1940 US Census
Cemetery Plat
The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) 20 Oct 1943, Wed Page 1
Headstone Application
Headstone Application
Headstone
WW II Army and Army Air Force Casualty List
National World War II Memorial Registry
 
 
 
 


Source information can be viewed at WWII Military Service Fatalities Sources