Eldon William Tozer was born on March 29, 1934, in Cullens Brook, Quebec, Canada. He was the son of James Verner Tozer and Irene May Starnes Tozer. He was the husband of Gwendolyn Ople Booker Tozer. He left the Gaspé as a young man to find work in the United States but retained his Canadian citizenship until his death.

Eldon joined the United States Navy and served for 13 years. He was given emergency leave to return home after his wife, Gwendolyn, was tragically killed in a car accident on June 29, 1969. He elected to return to Vietnam for a second tour and was killed on November 20, 1969, at 1:45 am during an ambush when the patrol boat was hit with two explosives. At the time of his death, he was serving in the PBR (Patrol Boat River)-725, TF (Task Force)-116, River Division 535.

Bronze Star Medal Citation:
"For meritorious service while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam from January to November 1969. As a river patrol boat officer, Chief Petty Officer TOZER participated in one hundred forty combat patrols, engaging the enemy on five separate occasions. During those patrols, he boarded and searched countless junks and sampans, interdicted cross-river traffic, inserted and extracted friendly forces in hostile territory, and provided fire support for besieged units and outposts. In addition, he conducted psychological warfare operations and civic action programs. Chief Petty Officer TOZER's exemplary leadership, outstanding professionalism, courage under fire, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

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