Emil P. Eschenburg graduated from Michigan State with honors in 1939 and received his commission in the infantry as a second lieutenant. He saw action in WW II duty as a member of the 1st Special Service, “The Devil’s Brigade.” He also served with distinction during the Korean War and in Vietnam. His service in Vietnam included two tours as assistant division commander for both the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Infantry Division.
During his active duty service, he served seven years in combat earning 77 decorations for valor, two awards of the combat infantryman=s badge and master parachutist wings. He retired in 1970 in the rank of brigadier general.
Following his retirement, he began a very successful career in real estate, first in Washington, D.C., and later in Helena, Montana. He was cited numerous times for his real estate sales record and his many volunteer activities in and around the Helena area.
In recognition of the great credit his exemplary service, superior leadership, and dedication to duty has brought to Michigan State University and the United State Army, Brigadier General Emil P. Eschenburg is inducted into the MSU Army ROTC Hall of Fame, this twenty-eighth day of April nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, in the one hundred thirteenth year of Military Science at MSU.