Hello Bill,
This is a bit of a stab in the dark, but I could only find one Eckerson B.L. in the Nara lists. However the ASN number is not the same as engraved on the Half Dollar you have. BUT, he re-enlisted in 1946 and so it's just possible that you have an item that he'd owned prior to 1946...
I found his obituary which you may want to try and follow up, as the family might be able to confirm or deny what outfit he was with during the war, i.e. Engineers.
Nice find, Best of luck!!
RAPID CITY - Byron Eckerson, 75, Rapid City, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at his home in Rapid City following an extended illness.
He was born July 17, 1927, in Omaha, NE, to Ray Lee and Vendla Marie (Roos) Eckerson. He moved at a young age to Worthington, MN. He entered the US Army on February 15, 1946, and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1947. He returned to Worthington, where he worked various construction jobs.
He married Doris Ann Feltman on December 18, 1954, in Worthington. He later attended school for and attained a plumbing license. This allowed him to install heating and air conditioning services, which he did until retiring in 1979.
He and his family lived in various places, including Sioux Falls, and in 1993 moved to Rapid City.
He enjoyed camping, traveling and was an avid bingo player.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Eckerson, Rapid City; 2 daughters, Jan Pingeon, Rapid City, SD, Pam Rederth, Piedmont, SD; grandchildren, Ariel, Chad, Kayla, Brandy, Bo and Coby; great-grandchildren, Breanna, Monet, Victoria, Luke, Lilly Ross, Ian and Ivan; 2 sisters, Betty Baum, Worthington, MN, Beverly Hutt, Sioux Falls; 4 brothers, Merle Eckerson, Worthington, MN, Russell Eckerson, Cold Spring, MN, Sidney Eckerson, Worthington, MN, Dale Eckerson, Worthington, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Stanley Eckerson; and 2 sisters, Rosie Novak and June Miller.
Visitation will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.
Services will be Friday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at Foothills Community Baptist Church in Piedmont.
Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, Rapid City, SD, is in care of arrangements.
Read more:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/lo...9-52d4-b90f-347e2d8cc24d.html#ixzz1XjS0UzW2ts.