Samuel Alvin Eklofe

Samuel Alvin Eklofe grew up near Fremont, IA, where he attended Fremont High School. He later lived in Iowa City and in Keota. Eklofe had worked at a couple grocers in Iowa City before joining the Marine Corps in May of 1967. As a Marine, he would eventually earn the rank of Corporal. CPL Eklofe served as a rifleman in the First Marine Division. His first tour of duty in South Vietnam began in January 1968. After a short break at home, he began his second tour in South Vietnam during February of 1969. On February 25, 1969, just days into his second tour, CPL Eklofe was killed by a sniper near Danang, South Vietnam. Memorial services were held on March 12, 1969 at Johnson Funeral Home in Ottumwa. His body was buried at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa.