Veterans Day Tribute: Russell A. Eick of Durham

More than 16 million men and women served in the military during World War II from 1941-1945. Called by some the "greatest generation," there are only about two million of these veterans still alive, as they are dying at a rate of about 8,000 a day nationwide.

One of Connecticut's more distinguished and decorated veterans, Russell A. Eick (pronounced "Ike") died recently on Oct. 26 at his home in Durham. Russ Eick, like so many American high school graduates in the early 1940's, ended up in the military service. Russ became a Tec 5 in the United States Army in December of 1943, serving with the 3rd Armored Division as a turret gunner on an M-16 half track, manning four 50 caliber machine guns. He was part of the 486th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion, which was attached to the 3rd AD from June 25, 1944, until May 9, 1945 — the day that Germany surrendered.

Russ had the distinction of shooting down the first Nazi plane from German soil in the war. Just southeast of Brand, Germany on September 18, 1944, a squadron of German planes began to attack field artillery positions of the 67th  Armored Field Artillery unit. Known for being an incredibly accurate shooter, Russ turned his quad 50's toward the attacking German planes and quickly brought down a Nazi FW-190 fighter bomber. It crashed and burned in a nearby field, killing the pilot.

Known appropriately as the "Spearhead" Division, the 3rd was at the front of the action from Normandy into Germany, participating in the fierce hedgerow battles at St. Lo, Putanges, Chartres, and Mons in France. It was at Mons that the 3rd captured over 8,000 German prisoners.

After entering Germany on September 10th, the 3rd fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. Three months later, Eick's unit fought in the fierce Battle of the Bulge, which began on Christmas Eve of 1944. Later, his unit was the first American military unit to enter Cologne. Along the way, elements of the 3rd AD liberated four concentration and POW camps.

It is hard to imagine an American Army soldier in the European theater of Operations who was involved in more significant battles during World War II or was exposed to more danger than Russ Eick of Durham. According to his obituary, Russ earned five Bronze Stars for his service in the army. Following the war, he returned to Durham and supported his family of six as a master carpenter.

Well loved and respected by his family and friends for his entire life, Russ Eick's remains were interred with full military honors at the state veterans' cemetery in Middletown last Thursday. May he rest in peace and may his outstanding service to his country never be forgotten.

Read more about Pvt. Russ Eick here.