Eric William Summers, son of Wayne and Melodie Summers, grew up in Poplar Bluff, MO. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School with the Class of 1999 and then attended Three Rivers College for one year.

Eric joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2000 and chose to make it his career. He deployed to Kuwait in 2003, Iraq in 2004, and three times to Afghanistan in 2009, 2011 and 2012, as a team leader. He was able to serve five deployments in combat zones without being wounded. In October 2010, he was promoted to his current rank of Staff Sergeant.

On 13 November 2013, SSgt Summers, age 32, was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon, Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA.

On that Wednesday, Eric and three other ordnance removal technicians died from injuries sustained in an explosion that occurred as they were clearing a firing range of unexploded ordnance in the Zulu impact area in the center of the sprawling coastal base. Initial reports indicated that the range was being cleared in preparation for live-fire training.

Being an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician is a very stressful and high-risk specialty; in fact, it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the military. Those who are willing to live such a life compose a very elite group of men that are often drawn to the job by the challenge, and because they find it exhilarating. It is one of the few positions in which the Marine Corps allows team members to quit at any time. That’s because their mental focus could mean the difference between life or death, either for themselves or their fellow troops. Now, Eric's name, and the names of his three buddies, will be added to the black memorial stone at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida that honors the fallen from the military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal community.

Family

On 23 June 2001, Eric married Andrea Linnet Vaughn in Poplar Bluff. At the time of his death, Eric and Andrea were the parents of a 2-year old daughter, Alexia.

Medals and Awards

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NATO Medal - ISAF Afghanistan

Honors

When SSgt Williams' body arrived by air in St. Louis, MO, a large contingent of law enforcement was there to escort him home to Poplar Bluff. His funeral route was lined with 2,380 American flags and hundreds of people lined the route in freezing weather while holding signs: "We Love You Eric." Freedom Riders, Patriot Riders and several law enforcement organizations escorted Eric along the route. After a funeral with full military honors, Eric was laid to rest in his home town.

A section of Highway 67 in Poplar Bluff was named "Eric Summers Highway" in his honor. His portrait is in the VA "Wall of Valor" and in the Poplar Bluff Museum's "Hall of Heroes."

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Eric William Summers died on 13 November 2013 at Camp Pendleton, CA. He is buried at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff, Butler County, MO.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121389479/eric-william-summers