William Ecker

Who was William Ecker?

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, he led the first low-level reconnaissance flight over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and 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 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 lived in Punta Gorda, Florida, until his death on November 5, 2009.