HR0855LRB104 21714 RMO 37326 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Thomas "Buzzy" Eichler, born on May 10, 1940, was 
3one of eight children and was raised on the Northwest Side of 
4Chicago; and
 
5    WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in 1958, Thomas 
6Eichler enlisted (1958-1962) and then re-enlisted (1966-1968) 
7in the United States Marine Corps and was posted to active 
8service in Vietnam; and
 
9    WHEREAS, In early 1968, Thomas Eichler's company was 
10assigned to the defense perimeter at Khe Sanh, the threatened 
11strongpoint on the "corner" of South Vietnam adjacent to the 
12Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh Trail 
13in Laos; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler was placed into the Battle of Khe 
15Sanh with this assignment; and
 
16    WHEREAS, While engaged in this battle and defending Hill 
17861A on this perimeter on February 5, 1968, Thomas Eichler's 
18company was attacked by what is believed to have been an entire 
19battalion 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

1lead role in his company's outnumbered defense of this section 
2of his perimeter against this assault; as part of his combat 
3service recognition, he was awarded the Silver Star for 
4gallantry in action, the third-highest military decoration 
5awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In addition to the Silver Star for his Vietnam 
7War service, Thomas Eichler was awarded the Bronze Star, and 
8he was also awarded the Combat Action Award, Rifle Action 
9Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Meritorious Citation, 
10Gallantry Cross Medal, Purple Heart with bronze oak leaf 
11cluster, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 
12two bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential 
13Unit Citation; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Returning home at the end of his service in the 
15United States Marine Corps, Thomas Eichler joined the Chicago 
16Police Department, rising to the rank of sergeant and earning 
17many decorations and acts of service recognition; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler concluded his Chicago Police 
19service in the 10th CPD District, with its many challenges to 
20law enforcement; and
 
21    WHEREAS, As a peace officer and as a retired police 
22officer, Thomas Eichler was a proud member of the American 
 
 
HR0855- 3 -LRB104 21714 RMO 37326 r

1Legion, maintaining his national service at Post #974, 
2Franklin Park, Illinois; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler's service as an officer of the 
4Chicago Police was strongly supported by his beloved wife, 
5Beverly Sokoloski Eichler; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Thomas Eichler died on October 7, 2024, age 84, 
7with many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews to mourn his 
8passing; and
 
9    WHEREAS, In continued recognition of his service and 
10sacrifices, Thomas Eichler is scheduled to receive honorary 
11street recognition by the City of Chicago, with 
12white-lettering-on-brown signs of honor to be posted on the 
133200 block of North Opal Avenue, Chicago; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
15HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
16we join with the City of Chicago in honoring the life of 
17service of Thomas "Buzzy" Eichler, U.S. Marine and sergeant in 
18the Chicago Police; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to 
20Thomas Eichler's wife, Beverly Sokoloski Eichler.