Martin D Vanden EykelChief Warrant Officer129TH AHC, 268TH AVN BN, 17TH AVN GROUP, 1 AVN BDE Army of the United States 04 October 1943 - 16 April 1979 Wheaton, Illinois Panel 15W Line 021 |
 
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The database page for Martin D Vanden Eykel
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You were but a name on a silver bracelet that I wore. Only your name was known to me. Then, through a veil of tears, I found your name on the Wall and you became even more real to me. Now, I have found you again on this website and tears still come to my eyes. Your record details say that you were a "non-hostile casualty, died while missing". What could be more hostile than that? To be thousands of miles away from home, crashing to the ground in your helicopter, never to see family and friends again? Rest well, Martin Vanden Eykel. You served your country well. I salute you.
From one who wore his bracelet. |
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Martin, William Dunlap, William Sanderlin and William Sullivan - 02 Dec 2002
Martin, today in 1969 you and several of the 129th AHC brotherhood were taken from us. Today, we will reflect on you as a brother of the 129th and as a soldier and friend. Be at peace brother. We will remember you always.
From a friend, Gently jsinger@uwm.edu |
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28 Jan 2002 My name is Patricia Kiefer and I was honored to wear Martin's bracelet for many years. I was so happy to find out that his body was recovered. May he rest in peace and may God bless him and his family. I truely know the pain his family went through. My 25-year-old son Michael Kiefer is one of the FDNY Firefighters that are still missing in the World Trade Center. People are now wearing his bracelet in hopes that he will be returned to the family that loves him. May God bless all of us.
Patricia Kiefer |
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My name is Nicki Allen. I live outside of Dallas, Texas, and I proudly wore the bracelet of CW2 Martin Vanden Eykel II from 1970 until I graduated from High School in 1976. I have thought about him and his family every day for over thirty years, and just recently discovered that he was brought home. My prayers will always be with his family, and with all the brave men and women that protect all Americans.
Nicki Allen |
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I have had Martin's MIA bracelet for many years. It now sits on my altar, reminding me to give thanks for the sacrifices the brave men and women of our Armed Forces have made so that I may enjoy freedom. In their memory I will not show fear to terrorism. I will stand tall and be proud to be an American.
Jo-Ann Nixon |
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I have had in my possession CW2 Martin Vanden Eykel II's POW bracelet for many years now... I remember wearing his band proudly in high school saying daily prayers with hope for a safe return... I was never able to visit the Wall to see if this brave soldier made it home safely or not but because of computers today, I am not only able to read about him, I was able to obtain a picture.. My own son is currently serving on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN in these troubled times in the Persian Gulf and who is about the same age. My heart goes out to his family and my prayers still continue.. God Bless our men and women of the military, be it past or present. They are indeed America's strength and they will never be forgotten..
Barbara Belton |
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I too wore Martin's MIA bracelet, from 1972 till it broke in half in 1976. I still have the pieces, and I have thought about him often over the years. I am happy to know his remains were found and brought home. Rest in peace, Martin.
From one who remembers. |
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I wore the name of Martin Vanden Eykel II on my MIA/POW Bracelet for years. Then I kept the bracelet in my hope chest. Everytime I opened my hope chest and saw the bracelet, I sent a prayer up for Martin and his family. I pray that they have peace today. Somehow, wearing that braclet is something none of us could forget, I guess he became a part of us somehow. I will continue to remember Martin's family with my prayers. I know it was hard to continue without him. We'll see him in heaven.
Trudy Green Stiers |
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I too wore the VIVA bracelet with Martin's name. Every day for years I said a prayer for him and his family. I had the opportunity to go to The Wall in DC in 1991 and learned of his return home. That moment is as fresh as the day I committed to wearing his name. Thank you for your service, Martin, and Welcome Home.
Sheila Parker |
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I also proudly wore the POW bracelet of CW2 Martin Vanden Eykel, picking it from a group of bracelets at a Navy Recruiting Center in Los Angeles. My dad was a retired CWO. I had tried in vain to discover his fate, prayed for him and his crew. His mother and I exchanged a few letters in, I believe, early 1970. I have never forgotten Martin and tonight was finally able to find out what happened to him. God bless them, heroes every one.
Teresa Robison Heine |
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I wore Martin's Bracelet from Junior High until I graduated from high school. I then put it in a jewelry box, which was misplaced over the years. However, I often thought about Martin and wondered what happened to him. A month or so ago, my mom filled my car trunk with boxes of my old, old stuff. I was annoyed with her, until today, when I finally decided to go through the stuff. One of the first things I found was Martin's bracelet. I showed it to my kids, and my 15-year-old son said, "Why don't you Google him?" So I did. I finally found out not only what happened to Martin, but his birthday, where he was from, even his picture. I also found out that there are others who proudly wore his name on their wrist, and still think about him, as I do.
From an MIA Bracelet Wearer. |
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I also wore Martin's bracelet all through High School and I still have it today. I thought of Martin and his family often and said many prayers for his safe return. I was sad to find out today, November 24, 2005 (Thanksgiving), that he did not return home safely. I was hoping to have something to be thankful for but I guess I still do because of boys and men like Martin who protect our country. Thank you, Martin, and God Bless.
June L. Smith |
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I proudly wore Martin Vanden Eykel's bracelet. It was lost for many years ... you were MIA for so long. In the process of moving today, I was cleaning and found the long lost treasured bracelet that I had worn for years. I prayed for you daily and your safe return. I never knew what happen until today. I never gave up hope. I wanted to find you alive and well, but to no avail. You served your country so proudly. You were a brave man, and I will continue to pray for your family. I am planning a trip to DC in October and will visit the War Memorial and say another prayer for you.
Joyce Schlachter |
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Dear Martin: I too wore your bracelet. My mom got one for her and one for me from someone who I think may have been in your family. This was in about 1970 or so. Their house backed up to the school yard where I went to elementary school in Bedford, Texas. I still remember that day. Even though I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time, I think I sensed the importance of it. Certainly as I grew older it became more and more important to me. My bracelet finally broke into two pieces and was lost, but I NEVER, EVER, forgot you or your name. My mom wore hers for years and years. Finally one day, a few years ago, she asked me if I wanted it. I thought she would never ask. I could not say YES fast enough. I treasure it. Tonight, as I write these words, tears stream down my face, and I'm not even sure why. I never met you. I have never seen a picture of you. Yet, there is a bond. I grieve for your family. I grieve for our country. Martin, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service, and for your sacrifice. Thank you for my freedom, my families freedom, and the freedom that we all enjoy. I for one am proud of you. May you rest in peace. I will never forget you. - John
John Docktor |
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I wore Martin's bracelet; I've thought of him many, many times. Today, I found out about him, about his death. I'm proud of him, I'm thankful to him. As I write this note, my eyes fill with tears. His little bracelet is on my desk, old, bent, but treasured. I'm especially pleased to see that many others have shared my concern for him. This shows my ignorance, but I thought I was the only one with his name and bracelet ... I'm glad that I'm not. I'm happy that he is remembered by many. I hope that somehow he knows. My nephew, Ricky, is kicking down doors in Baghdad now, you guys help me pray for him, and his comrades.
Mike |
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I wore Martin Vanden Eyekel's bracelet for many years. I was in grade school with his son when he was listed missing. I am sure that he is very proud of his family. At the time I knew them he had 2 sons. The sacrifice he made can not even be measured. He is a hero and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Tracey Lantz Jeffress |
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Well, today I was looking for my birth certificate and in my hope chest I found Martin's POW/MIA bracelet. I too wore it proudly every day in high school and college. I often wondered about this man whose name I wore and prayed for him and his fellow soldiers over there. Now today, I learn his fate and I pray for him yet again. What an honor to have had this man's name around my wrist for so long.
Gerrianne Hyde |
Notes from The Virtual WallAt about 8:30 PM on 02 Dec 1969, two UH-1B HUEY gunships of the 129th Aviation Company (later redesignated the 129th Assault Helicopter Company) departed LZ English to provide fire support for a long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) that had radioed for help. The second, or wingman, helicopter (UH-1B hull number 64-13959) was crewed by
Eventually the Secretary of the Army approved Presumptive Findings of Death for the four men -
On 23 January 1989, the Vietnamese government turned over human remains to US control. On 22 February 1990, the Department of Defense announced that the remains of CW2 Vanden Eykel, CW2 Dunlap, SP5 Shanley, and SP5 Sanderlin had been identified.
They are remembered by their brothers in the |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 12 Nov 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009