Eldon Diettert
LOCATION: The National Smokejumper Association hosted the Mann Gulch 75th Anniversary Memorial Tribute for Eldon Diettert, 19, who died August 5, 1949, along with twelve other Missoula smokejumpers in the Mann Gulch Fire. James Harrison was formerly a Missoula smokejumper but was a fireguard at Meriwether Campground when he died. Eldon Diettert’s ceremony was held at the Missoula City Cemetery on August 9, 2024.
Site Coordinator: Ed Ward (MSO 80)
BIOGRAPHY: Eldon was born on Aug. 5, 1930, in Moscow, Idaho. He was 19 when he died on his birthday at Mann Gulch. Eldon was one of three children of Reuben and Charlotte Diettert. His brother, Gerald A. Diettert, MD, was three years older, and a sister, Doris Jean, was nine years younger. At the age of five, the family moved to Iowa. They spent their summers on Grandfather Diettert’s farm near North Judson, Indiana, where Eldon learned about farming and the outdoors. In 1937, they moved to Missoula, Montana, where his father became the chairman of the Botany Department at the University of Montana.
Conscientious and punctual, Eldon had a paper route to contribute to the family income and save some money for college. He was an excellent student, according to his sister, and was well-liked. He played clarinet in the band and mowed lawns in the summer. Eldon had worked for the USFS for 3 seasons in Idaho but decided in 1948 to apply to the smokejumpers to complement his forestry degree. His mother was so devastated by his loss that she disallowed any discussion about Mann Gulch in her presence.
RELATIVES: Bruce (nephew) and Lynn Diettert, Carol (niece) and Ken (Diettert) Krieger, Craig and Beth Diettert (nephew), Scott and Debbie Diettert, and their daughter Kristin Diettert.
CEREMONY: Ed Ward was the site coordinator for Eldon Diettert. Forty-three people signed the tribute registry. David Turner was there. Like James Harrison, Ed had been a fireguard at Meriwether Campground 1975-77 and said that before Maclean’s book, there were few visitors to Mann Gulch. David is a self-proclaimed Mann Gulch historian who wrote a 16-page history of events surrounding the tragedy and aftermath called “The Thirteenth Fire.” Ed Ward said the ceremony was very moving, and the family appreciated the effort to memorialize the Mann Gulch victims. Following the ceremony, some 200 jumpers, family, and friends attended a BBQ and potluck dinner at the MSO jump base, which allowed jumpers old and new to relate to the tragedy and honor the victims.
Eldon’s nephew Craig Diettert said the tribute and memorials were moving and so appreciated by the family. Many family members attended either the gravesite memorials or hiked up Mann Gulch to place a wreath on his monument.
BROTHERHOOD: Smokejumpers in attendance included Ed Ward (MSO 80), former MSO Base Manager, who was also the Site Coordinator, and Bob Smee (MSO 68), who was instrumental in creating the beautiful Memorial booklets for all 13 victims. Bob Beckley (RAC 83), Cameron Lawrence (GAC 91), Lori Messenger (MSO 00), Richard Hulla (MSO 75), Salvador Garnica (MSO 82), Chad Scussel (MSO 91), Timo Rova (WYS 95), Jeff Kinderman (MSO 75), Jim McKay (MSO 84), Matthew Mahe (MSO 05), Kim Maynard (MSO82), Jeff Dobbins (MYC 84), Keith Wolferman (MSO 91), Sarah Doehring (MSO 91), Jace Washburn (MSO 16), and Willis Curdy (MMSO 71). After the ceremony, 200 jumpers, family members, and attendees enjoyed a potluck dinner and BBQ at the MSO base.
The NSA provided a special brass medallion affixed to his gravestone so that anyone who read the inscription would know that Eldon Diettert was indeed a hero recognized by the National Smokejumper Association.
Sitting: L-R Andrea Broenneke; Lauren Diettert (Scott’s daughter); Bruce Diettert
