MEMORIAL-THOMAS EICHLER

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0855

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Full Text of HR0855

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HR0855 - 104th General Assembly

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HR0855
LRB104 21714 RMO 37326 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, Thomas "Buzzy" Eichler, born on May 10, 1940, was
3
one of eight children and was raised on the Northwest Side of
4
Chicago; and

5

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1958, Thomas
6
Eichler enlisted (1958-1962) and then re-enlisted (1966-1968)
7
in the United States Marine Corps and was posted to active
8
service in Vietnam; and

9

WHEREAS, In early 1968, Thomas Eichler's company was
10
assigned to the defense perimeter at Khe Sanh, the threatened
11
strongpoint on the "corner" of South Vietnam adjacent to the
12
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh Trail
13
in Laos; and

14

WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler was placed into the Battle of Khe
15
Sanh with this assignment; and

16

WHEREAS, While engaged in this battle and defending Hill
17
861A on this perimeter on February 5, 1968, Thomas Eichler's
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company was attacked by what is believed to have been an entire
19
battalion of North Vietnamese (NVA) combat troops; and

20

WHEREAS, In hand-to-hand fighting, Thomas Eichler took the

HR0855
- 2 -
LRB104 21714 RMO 37326 r
1
lead role in his company's outnumbered defense of this section
2
of his perimeter against this assault; as part of his combat
3
service recognition, he was awarded the Silver Star for
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gallantry in action, the third-highest military decoration
5
awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps; and

6

WHEREAS, In addition to the Silver Star for his Vietnam
7
War service, Thomas Eichler was awarded the Bronze Star, and
8
he was also awarded the Combat Action Award, Rifle Action
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Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Meritorious Citation,
10
Gallantry Cross Medal, Purple Heart with bronze oak leaf
11
cluster, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with
12
two bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential
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Unit Citation; and

14

WHEREAS, Returning home at the end of his service in the
15
United States Marine Corps, Thomas Eichler joined the Chicago
16
Police Department, rising to the rank of sergeant and earning
17
many decorations and acts of service recognition; and

18

WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler concluded his Chicago Police
19
service in the 10th CPD District, with its many challenges to
20
law enforcement; and

21

WHEREAS, As a peace officer and as a retired police
22
officer, Thomas Eichler was a proud member of the American

HR0855
- 3 -
LRB104 21714 RMO 37326 r
1
Legion, maintaining his national service at Post #974,
2
Franklin Park, Illinois; and

3

WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler's service as an officer of the
4
Chicago Police was strongly supported by his beloved wife,
5
Beverly Sokoloski Eichler; and

6

WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler died on October 7, 2024, age 84,
7
with many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews to mourn his
8
passing; and

9

WHEREAS, In continued recognition of his service and
10
sacrifices, Thomas Eichler is scheduled to receive honorary
11
street recognition by the City of Chicago, with
12
white-lettering-on-brown signs of honor to be posted on the
13
3200 block of North Opal Avenue, Chicago; therefore, be it

14

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16
we join with the City of Chicago in honoring the life of
17
service of Thomas "Buzzy" Eichler, U.S. Marine and sergeant in
18
the Chicago Police; and be it further

19

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
20
Thomas Eichler's wife, Beverly Sokoloski Eichler.

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