Ralph Eaton
Ralph Eaton | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Doc" |
| Born | August 5, 1898 Bloomington, Illinois, United States |
| Died | May 16, 1986 (aged 87) Asheville, North Carolina, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1924−1954 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-15871 |
| Commands held | Chief of Staff, 82nd Airborne Division Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) |
Brigadier General Ralph "Doc" Parker Eaton (August 5, 1898 − May 16, 1986) was a United States Army officer who served most notably during World War II in the European Theater.
Life
On August 5, 1898, Eaton was born in Bloomington, Illinois,[1] and later went on to attend the prestigious United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, graduating in 1924.
Perhaps his most notable role was serving as the Chief of Staff of the 82nd Airborne Division and later XVIII Airborne Corps, both of which were commanded by Major General Matthew Ridgway.[2] His decorations included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Army Distinguished Service Medal.[3] His other roles included a War Department Manpower Board Chairman, and Staff Secretary for the Caribbean Command. Fort Bragg, where the 82nd Airborne Division is located, has honored Eaton by naming a Hall after him, Eaton Hall.[4] Eaton retired from the Army in 1954 and died on May 16, 1986, at the age of 87.[5] Eaton is interred in Lewis Memorial Park in Asheville, North Carolina.[6]
Career
Eaton's Military Milestones:[7][8]
- Chief of Staff, 82nd Airborne Division [Italy]
- Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps [North West Europe]
- Chairman of 7th Section, War Department Manpower Board
- Staff Secretary, Caribbean Command
References
- ^ "University of Illinois Alumni - 1872 to 1911". RootsWeb. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "Order of Battle of the US Army - WWII - ETO 82d AIRBORNE DIVISION". US Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ Military Times/Hall of Valor
- ^ "BG Ralph Parker Eaton". Find A Grave.
- ^ "Ralph Eaton". Locate Ancestors. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "BG Ralph Parker Eaton". Find A Grave.
- ^ "Ralph Parker Eaton". Generals.dk. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "XVIII US Airborne Corps". Unit Histories. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Articles without Wikidata item
- 1898 births
- 1986 deaths
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- United States Military Academy alumni
- Military personnel from Illinois
- United States Army personnel of World War I
- United States Army generals of World War II
- United States Army generals