World War II Honoree

Emil Eschenburg

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Helena, Montana

Honored By

Grateful American

Relationship

WAS A MEMBER OF AN ELITE WWII FORCE, A COMMANDO STYLE SECRET FORCE INITIALLY DEPLOYED TO FIGHT THE JAPANESE IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, BUT IS BEST KNOWN FOR CAPTURING GERMAN FORCES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ITALY. THE GERMANS CALLED THE 1,800 MAN FORCE 'BLACK DEVILS' BECAUSE OF THEIR FACES, WHICH WERE BLACKENED WITH SHOE POLISH BEFORE NIGHTLY RAIDS. THE FORCE CAPTURED MONTE LA DIFENSA, A GERMAN HELD MOUNTAIN TOP ALONG A HIGHWAY THAT LED TO ROME. RECEIVED 115 MILITARY DECORATIONS, INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART.