Previous Stories

Memorial completed to honor Etchberger

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Dec. 27, the 338th Training Squadron volunteers completed a memorial to Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient and graduate of Keesler technical training.

Student and instructor volunteers used Christmas week to finish the monument, which was launched Sept. 16, with the dedication of Etchberger Way, a previously unnamed street near Cody Hall.

"The decision to honor Etchberger with a complete monument was established along with the dedication ceremony," said Master Sgt. James Musgrove, 338th TRS. "But, finishing it had to wait for the time and funds."

At least half of the stone used to complete the memorial was donated by a local hardware store, said Musgrove. The rest was provided by squadron donations and fundraising.

"It was our Christmas project--members of the squadron bringing different specialties to the landscaping and construction," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Lee, 338th student.
Musgrove hopes the landscaped memorial will bring more visitors to the site to learn about Etchberger's heroism, he said.

Etchberger died March 11, 1968, at age 35 following an overnight battle on Mount Phou Pha Thi at Lima Site 85, Laos. He was credited with saving three comrades during the conflict before he succumbed to his own injuries.

"Since the ground radar maintenance course is taught at Cody Hall, our squadron is privileged to have a street named in memory of a former squadron member and radar technician of such distinction," said Lt. Col. Michelle Carns, 338th TRS commander.
Previous Story
Next Story