Harley S. Eychner was born in June 28, 1918, in Rome, Oneida County, New York, to Burton (1891-1975) and Lula Sutherland (1894-1987) Eychner. Burton and Lula were married January 15, 1913, in Rome, Oneida County, New York. Burt was a farmer and Lula was an operator. Harley was the first of five sons born to the Eychners. His younger brothers were Clyde E. (1921-2012), Burt Whaley. (1923-2003), Leon Ike (1926-2007), and Glenn C. (1930-?). Leon also served in the U.S. Army in World War II. The 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census reports show Burton working as a laborer with the New York State Canals and Waterways, and Lula as a housewife. Later, both Burton and Lula worked several years for Rome Manufacturing Company. Harley attended Rome and Verona schools.

August 12, 1934, was the third annual Eychner family reunion and picnic at the home of Burt and Lula in Verona, New York. Music was provided by Harley on the banjo and Clyde on the Jew’s harp, and various other family members played instruments, danced, and sang.

Harley was active in 4-H for many years. In October 1934, Harley won 2nd place for potatoes in his age bracket. In March 1935, Harley gave a demonstration of making doorstops at a 4-H meeting at his home. He also read a poem, “My Flag,” which was written by the club president. September 24, 1935, was the 12th Annual 4-H Club and School Fair at New London School in Verona, New York, with 18 schools in attendance. Harley, Clyde, and (Burt) Whaley Eychner participated in the agricultural exhibits in two areas – signboard, and window sticks and doorstops.

Harley registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Sherrill, New York. He was 5’9” tall, weighed 140 pounds, and had black hair and brown eyes. He was employed by General Cable Corporation. Harley and (Burt) Whaley served with Company D, Sixth Regiment, of the New York Guard.

Harley married Dorothy Lamb (1923-1952) on December 1, 1940. A son, Gene John, was born June 18, 1941, and another son, Dean Byron, was born in 1942.

Harley entered the U.S. Army on March 21, 1944, and completed basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas. He was sent overseas from Fort Meade, Maryland, with the 80th Infantry Division, 317th Infantry Regiment.

The 80th Infantry Division landed on Utah Beach, 3 August 1944, assembled near St. Jores by 7 August, and on 8 August was ordered to stop the German attack at Avranches. Arriving too late to take part in smashing the German drive, it turned east to seize Evron and Ste. Suzanne, 10 August. The Division then attacked Argentan, taking it, 20 August, and creating the Falaise Pocket. After mopping up in the area, the 80th took part in the Third Army dash across France, cutting through St. Mihiel, Chalons, and Commercy in pursuit of the retreating Germans until stopped by the lack of gasoline and other supplies at the Seille River.

According to the Morning Reports of the 80th Infantry Division, Company K of the 317th Infantry Regiment received occasional heavy shelling from the enemy on October 12, 1944, under rain and cloudy weather. The unit departed from the vicinity of Chenicourt, France, by foot and by truck at 2000, and arrived in the assembly area one mile north of Sainte-Genevieve. The weather was clear and warm. In the Morning Report of October 13, 1944, Pvt. Harley Eychner was listed as MIA (missing in action) as of October 9, along with five other enlisted men. In the Morning Report of October 20, 1944, Pvt. Eychner was declared KIA (killed in action) on October 13, 1944.

On October 17, 1944, Dorothy Eychner received a telegram from the War Department stating her husband, Pvt. Harley Eychner, was missing in action in France since October 9, 1944. He had been overseas four weeks, and had written his wife that he was somewhere in France.

On October 31, 1944, Dorothy received a second telegram from the War Department stating her husband, Pvt. Harley Eychner, had been killed in action in France on October 13, 1944. According to the U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, the cause of death was a blast and debris from an artillery shell.

November 26, 1944, in Rome, New York, a daughter, Donna Lou, was born to Dorothy and the late Pvt. Eychner.

A memorial service for Pvt. Eychner was held December 1, 1944, the fourth anniversary of his marriage to Dorothy. Reverend Boswell officiated at the service in the flag-draped First Baptist Church of Rome, New York, and sang two solos. Rev. Boswell stated, “Private Eychner is enrolled in his country’s records of her honored dead.” A bugler from the Rome Army Airfield sounded taps.

Pvt. Eychner was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Rome (NY) Medal of Honor. Burial was in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, France, Plot C, Row 17, Grave 76.