Walt Eckes was born in 1946 in New York City, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on February 12, 1964, and after completing basic training he was trained as a radio operator. His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from July 1964 to November 1965, during which time he participated in the Invasion of the Dominican Republic in May and June 1965. Pvt Eckes deployed to Southeast Asia and was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines of the 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam in November 1965, and transferred to F Battery in March 1966. He was captured by the Viet Cong in South Vietnam on May 10, 1966, and managed to escape from his captors on June 17, 1966. LCPL Eckes made it back to friendly lines on June 20, 1966, and was transferred to Headquarters Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division later that month to finish out his tour. He returned to the U.S. in December 1966, and then served with D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from January to March 1967, followed by service with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from March to September 1967. CPL Eckes then returned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines from September 1967 to January 1968. His final assignment was with F Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines from January 1968 until he left active duty on February 9, 1968. CPL Eckes received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on February 11, 1970.