Vietnam War hero from Hamburg will be honored at State Capitol

From BCTV.org: Vietnam War hero from Hamburg will be honored at State Capitol
A Hamburg native killed during a secret mission during the Vietnam War — and recognized only last year with the nation's highest military honor for valor — will be forever remembered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, said state Rep. Jerry Knowles and state Sen. David Argall, Republicans who represent part of Berks County.

Master Sgt. Richard Loy Etchberger began his service in the U.S. Air Force and was transferred into a civilian position as a government contractor when North Vietnamese soldiers attacked his team on March 11, 1968.

He deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to place his three surviving wounded comrades in the rescuer slings, permitting them to be airlifted to safety.

"Soldiers' and Sailors' Grove honors Pennsylvania's bravest — our Medal of Honor recipients — and it's only fitting that we now acknowledge the sacrifice and bravery of Master Sergeant Etchberger with the presence of a marker dedicated here at the Capitol," Knowles, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, said in a news release.

"Even though it's been more than 40 years since his death, it's important to his family, to his community and to the Commonwealth, that we keep alive his memory and his selfless dedication to freedom."

"The incredible amount of support the family and the community of Hamburg has given will ensure that CMSgt. Etchberger's legacy and selfless acts which saved his crew in Laos will long be remembered. I'm honored to play a role in celebrating CMSgt. Etchberger's life and service to our nation," Argall said in the release.

"Senate Bill 199, which designates a 12-mile portion of Interstate 78 in the Hamburg area as the CMSgt. Richard L. Etchberger Memorial Highway, honors a true local American hero and Medal of Honor recipient."

A tribute ceremony at Soldiers and Sailors Grove on Aug. 22 will include the unveiling of a memorial marker recognizing Etchberger.

Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to participate in the ceremony, along with Etchberger's family, Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the leaderships of many state veterans' organizations.

Schooled in radio and radar maintenance, Etchberger was one of some 40 airmen tasked to operate covert radar installations in Laos and become civilian employees.

His family was told his death was due to a plane crash even though his wife, Catherine, knew of the secrecy of his assignment. After the information became declassified in 1982, efforts began to nominate him for the Medal of Honor.

However, because of his civilian status and the attack was in a neutral country, his nomination was not granted until more than 30 years later.

In 2010, Congress and the White House signed off on the nomination, clearing the way for Etchberger to receive the nation's highest military honor.

His sons accepted the medal from President Barack Obama last fall.