BoarSpear

http://www.hwarangdo.com/Magazines/echanis.htm

http://www.hwarangdo.com/Magazines/BBJan77-echanis.htm

One of the baddest men you can imagine.

A complete enigma, where his skills really came from was anyones guess, JBL said "he is the ancient reincarnation of the Hwa Rang Do warrior."
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" A Green Beret himself, Echanis also had practical battlefield experience in Vietnam. He served with the 75th Ranger Battalion. In 1970, Echanis was awarded the Bronze Star medal with "V" device for heroism while under enemy fire in Vietnam. The details of the award are in army records:
"Specialist Four Michael D. Echanis distinguished himself by valorous action when the truck in which he was a passenger was ambushed in the An Khe Pass." The truck had approached a sharp switchback, and he and his crew were greeted by a heavy volume of enemy. fire. Echanis immediately returned the fire. "As the truck rounded the corner, Specialist Echanis was wounded in the left foot," the order reads. "He disregarded the pain in his foot, reloaded his weapon, and continued to fire on the enemy."
The truck rounded the curve, skidding into a ditch. Echanis, while reloading his weapon, was hit in the head by fragmentation from a small arms round that exploded in the rear of the truck. After further encounters, Echanis "was wounded for the third time when an AK-47 round hit him in the right foot and lodged in his calf."
The award record continues: "Specialist Echanis was then wounded for a fourth time when his continued resistance drew a hail of enemy fire. Despite his numerous wounds, Specialist Echanis continued to fight until the beleaguered truck was relieved. Specialist Echanis' aggressive spirit and undaunted courage were decisive in preventing the annihilation of the truck and its personnel."

Echanis later returned to the States and began teaching in a hwarangdo school in La Habra, California. "He was just too tough on the students," says Randy Wanner, the current instructor. "Besides, he was a military man and liked it. That's where he was happy."
So Echanis survived his ordeal and returned to become a kind of modern day ninja instructor for the Hand-to-Hand Combat / Special Weapons School. He is justifiably proud of his accomplishment. "I believe I am the only Caucasian man," says Echanis, "teaching charyok training to military personnel in the United States." Beyond that, says Echanis, "I teach mind control and hypnosis three days a week for Operations and Intelligence." Echanis also teaches hwarangdo to Navy S.E.A.L.S., Marine Force Recon units. Echanis credits his skills and capabilities to his teacher, HwaRangDo Founder Dr. Joo Bang Lee. "Were it not for him," says Echanis, "I would know nothing about the martial arts." Today, the former Green Beret and Airborne Ranger is the chief instructor for about 200 instructors in these special warfare branches of the service.

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BoarSpear

When Mike died, how he died and IF he died at all are of great debate.
None of the men present when he died have ever submitted to a polygraph and say they cant for Nat'l security....he supposedly died in Sep of 1978 and was promoted twice after his "death" before his records were sealed...the first time was in Nov 1978, the second was in 1981.

Hardball

Would love to see a vid of him demonstrating his "Korean Art" skills.

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The Way of the Warrior is Practice. Daily practice, accumulate practice minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. {Book of 5 Rings} Mike Brewers 2008 Sit up challenge 30,000/100,000 running balance.(Crunches) Kicks 6,300/100,000

brokenelbow

"A complete enigma, where his skills really came from was anyones guess"

Ask Randy Warner.

"When Mike died, how he died and IF he died at all are of great debate."

He's dead. JBL promoted Echanis after he died.

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The crap that many schools do is not the crap I was taught or train in or teach.

Damnit... it made sense when it was running through my head.

DM

Tom Yum

Great story, especially with his involvement with Hwarang do and his protection job afterwards.

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