William Ecker
Encyclopedia
William Ecker was born in Omaha, Nebraska
, USA. A career officer and Naval Aviator
, he served in the United States Navy
from 1942 until 1974. He is most famous for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis
in 1962. On October 23, 1962, as Commanding Officer
of Photo Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62
), he led the first low-level reconnaissance flight over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis
and (together with his wing man, Lieutenant Bruce Wilhelmy) took the first close-up photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
During this mission, they both flew
RF-8 Crusader
aircraft.
After the end of the Missile Crisis, Ecker received the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
for his service. The unit he commanded, VFP-62
, received the Navy Unit Commendation
. This Navy Unit Commendation
was the first one awarded for a peacetime operation and it was personally presented by President John F. Kennedy
in a ceremony on November 26, 1962.
In 2000, his actions were depicted in the movie Thirteen Days
, which was produced by Kevin Costner
. In this movie, he was played by Christopher Lawford
, the nephew of JFK.
Captain William B. Ecker, USN (Retired) lived in Punta Gorda, Florida, until his death on November 5, 2009.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, USA. A career officer and Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
, he served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1942 until 1974. He is most famous for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
in 1962. On October 23, 1962, as Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of Photo Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62
VFP-62
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1949 to 1968. The squadron provided a detachment of reconnaissance planes for each of the Carrier Air Wings of the U.S...
), he led the first low-level reconnaissance flight over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
and (together with his wing man, Lieutenant Bruce Wilhelmy) took the first close-up photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
During this mission, they both flew
RF-8 Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
aircraft.
After the end of the Missile Crisis, Ecker received the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for his service. The unit he commanded, VFP-62
VFP-62
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1949 to 1968. The squadron provided a detachment of reconnaissance planes for each of the Carrier Air Wings of the U.S...
, received the Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
. This Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
was the first one awarded for a peacetime operation and it was personally presented by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in a ceremony on November 26, 1962.
In 2000, his actions were depicted in the movie Thirteen Days
Thirteen Days (film)
Thirteen Days is a 2000 docudrama directed by Roger Donaldson about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, seen from the perspective of the US political leadership. Kevin Costner stars, with Bruce Greenwood featured as John F. Kennedy....
, which was produced by Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
. In this movie, he was played by Christopher Lawford
Christopher Lawford
Christopher Kennedy Lawford is an American author, actor and activist and member of the prominent Kennedy family.-Life and career:...
, the nephew of JFK.
Captain William B. Ecker, USN (Retired) lived in Punta Gorda, Florida, until his death on November 5, 2009.