Private First Class Gregory D. Eichner was born on 7 March 1961 in Ogallala, Nebraska. He was a graduate of Ogallala High School, where he was a member of the O Club, the wrestling team, and recipient of the Hampton Memorial trophy as the outstanding senior wrestler. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1981 and attended Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. PFC Eichner then attended the CH-47 Helicopter Repair course at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he was recognized and commended for his outstanding leadership abilities. Upon completion of training at Fort Eustis, he served as a recruiting aide with the North Platte, Nebraska, Army Recruiting Station for six months.

PFC Eichner was a Founding Night Stalker and initially served as a Helicopter Mechanic in the maintenance platoon in Alpha Company, 159th Aviation Battalion. He was quickly recognized as a stand-out among his peers. Due to his exceptional technical proficiency and unparalleled motivation, he was selected from among his peers to serve as a crewmember in the flight platoon. He established a reputation for being a hardworking, meticulous crewmember and a proud, enthusiastic Soldier. In recognition of PFC Eichner’s exceptional performance and unparalleled dedication to TF 160, he was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

PFC Eichner was a member of Alpha Company, 159th Aviation Battalion and was conducting overwater training operations when his CH-47 Chinook, #527, crashed in the Atlantic Ocean just east of Cape Henry, Virginia, on 20 March 1983.

PFC Eichner is survived by his parents, Donald and Mary; sisters, Terri and Pat; and his brother, Tim. He is laid to rest in Ogallala, Nebraska, at Ogallala Cemetery. The 2nd Battalion headquarters, building #7276, on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as Eichner Hall.