Lt. Leo "Bud" E. Eutsler

Lt. Leo Eutsler 1st County War Fatality

First Lt. Leo E. "Bud" Eutsler , son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo R. Eutsler of Manville, is the first Korean War fatality from Niobrara County.

Sgt. Donald Dryer, a cousin, who is also in Korea, wrote a letter that arrived here Sept. 15 giving the details available of Lt. Eutsler' death.

Lt. Eutsler's wife, a son, Leo David, 6, and a daughter Elizabeth Susan, 4 months, live at Bucoda, Wash. He wrote his wife a letter August 21 and followed it the next morning with a note stating that he was going on a little mission.

Sgt. Dryer writes that Lt. Eutsler went out alone to look for a good position for mortar fire and didn't return. The next day he was found with a wound in one leg from which he bled to death. Some expressed that it was a bayonet wound, but since there were no other marks on him, Sgt. Dryer said he rather believed the wound was from shrapnel. Lt. Eutsler is buried in the 1st Cavalry cemetery at Taegu.

Sgt. Dryer wrote the letter about his cousin to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orval Dryer of Whitman on August 29, and it arrived here Sept. 15. Mrs. Dryer is a sister of Leo R. Eutsler.

Lt. Eutsler was born in Creede, Colo., Dec. 4, 1922 while the family was there a short time from their home at Manville. He was reared at Manville and graduated from Manville High School in 1939. He attended the University of Wyoming a half year and enlisted in the Army in 1940 going first to Ft. Lewis.

He served through the European war with Patton's Third Army and after the war re-enlisted, serving for a time in Alaska. He was commissioned an officer about a year ago and went with the 2nd Division to Korea. He was married in 1942.

Surviving besides his parents are four sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Louis J. LaBounta, Laramie; Mrs. Andrew Landen, Box Elder, S. Dak.; and Arther, Ada May, Catherine and John at home.

The Lusk Herald
June 14, 1951
Final Rites Held For Lt. Eutsler

Funeral services were held for 1st Lt. Leo E. Eutsler, the first Niobrara man killed in Korean fighting, in Lusk Tuesday afternoon.

Rev. Frank Schweissing officiated at the services. Two musical selections, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "We Are Going Down the Valley," were sung by a quartet composed of Geraldine Klemke, Mrs. A.F. DeCastro, Justine Watson and Juanita Cork. Mrs. J.P. Watson was at the chapel organ.

The Eutsler monument was dedicated Memorial Day.

Casket bearers were: Jim Barrett, Otto Klemke, Donley Unruh, Harold Seriven, Warren Gallup and Edward Halsey. The flag bearers were Thomas Costlow and Raleigh Gagstetter. The firing squad was composed of a detail from the National Guard.

Paul Heaney was the V.F.W. color bearer and Charles Vaughan was the American Legion color bearer. Bob Hardman carried the American flag. Burial was made in the Lusk Cemetery. Lt. Cuttitta escorted the body to Lusk and presented the flag to Mrs. Ione Eutsler.

Surviving Lt. Eutsier are his wife, Ione, and two children Leo David and Elizabeth Susan; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo R. Eutsler; four sisters, Mrs. Ernest Wampler, Hat Creek; Catherine, Manville; Mrs. Nellie LaBounta, Lararnie: and Mrs. Fay Landen, Rapid City. One brother, Arthur, is also a survivor while another brother, John, was killed while hunting last December.

Leo E. Eutsler was born in Creed, Colo. Dec. 4, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs Leo R. Eutsler. Shortly after his birth he moved with his family to Manville where he attended the Manville schools and graduated from Manville High School in 1939. He attended the University of Wyoming during the 1939-1940 school year. Lt. Eutsler joined the National Guard at Laramie.

Lt. Eutsler saw active duty with the Third Army in Europe. He received his discharge from the Army November, 1945. Lt. Eutsler re-entered the Army during June, 1946. He received his commission June, 1947 at Ft. Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 2nd Division and sailed to Korea during July, 1950. Lt. Eutsler was killed in action near Taego, Korea Aug. 22, 1950.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records