Ralph Eaton

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For the American philosopher, see Ralph Monroe Eaton.
Ralph Eaton
Nickname(s)Doc
Born(1898-08-05)August 5, 1898
Bloomington, IL, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 1986
Asheville, NC, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankUS-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier general
Commands heldChief of Staff, 82nd Airborne Division
Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2)

Ralph "Doc" Parker Eaton was a United States Army Brigadier General, serving most notably during World War II in the European Theater.

Life[]

On August 5, 1898, Eaton was born in Bloomington, IL,[1] and later went on to attend the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1924. Eaton's most notable role was serving as the Chief of Staff of both the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps for 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. US Army Fort Bragg, where the 82nd Airborne Division is located, has honored Eaton by naming a Hall after him, named Eaton Hall.[4] Eaton retired from the Army in 1954 and died on May 16, 1986.[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[]

  1. ^ "University of Illinois Alumni - 1872 to 1911". RootsWeb. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Order of Battle of the US Army - WWII - ETO 82d AIRBORNE DIVISION". US Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  3. ^ Military Times/Hall of Valor
  4. ^ "BG Ralph Parker Eaton". Find A Grave.
  5. ^ "Ralph Eaton". Locate Ancestors. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  6. ^ "BG Ralph Parker Eaton". Find A Grave.
  7. ^ "Ralph Parker Eaton". Generals.dk. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  8. ^ "XVIII US Airborne Corps". Unit Histories. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
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