Frederick Eaton
Lt Col Frederick C Eaton Jr was assigned to the 301st BG 301st HQ.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Pilot.
PILOT
Captain Frederick 'Fred' C. Eaton, Jr
Born July 15, 1917 in Scarsdale, New York. Eaton attended Dartmouth College and played on their squash team before joining the US Army Air Force.
Assigned to the 7th Bomb Group, 22nd Bomb Squadron. Known as 'Fred' or 'Freddy' to his squadron mates. At 25 he was piloting a B-17E on his first combat mission of February 23, 1942. After their escape from the swamp, Eaton returned to combat, flying a total of 54 missions and 435 combat hours in the South Pacific theater thur the rest of 1942. He had other harrowing missions, like force landing an LB-30 at Milne Bay.
After this tour, he went on to fly in Europe, flying 4 mission and 21 combat hours from the United Kingdom and another 44 missions and 222 combat hours in Italy (15th AF, 301st BG), totaling 102 missions and 678 hours, all in B-17s.
After the war, he worked for Sears Roebuck & Company. In the late 1980's he retired to Martha's Vineyard with his wife Peggy, and spent winters in South Carolina. Eaton passed away March 31, 1994. Wartime photo via Richard Gillespie, current photo via Mrs. Eaton.
The following information on Frederick Eaton is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on Lt Col Eaton. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Frederick Eaton's military record please contact us.
| Date | Order | Award | Ribbon & Device | Document Originator | Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
02/12/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 34 |
|
Issuing Authority: 5AF |
Current Rank: CAPT |
ROS On Roster Type Document |
|
02/23/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 39 |
DFC Distinguished Flying Cross |
|
Issuing Authority: 5AF |
Current Rank: CAPT |
|
03/12/1943 |
|
ROS On The Roster |
On The Roster |
Issuing Authority: 19 BG |
Current Rank: CAPT |
ROS On Roster Type Document |
09/10/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 193 |
|
Issuing Authority: 5AF |
Current Rank: CAPT |
ROS On Roster Type Document |
|
03/15/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 145 |
SS/2OLC Silver Star Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
 
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: Lt Col |
|
04/28/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 310 |
AM/1OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: Lt Col |
|
05/14/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 443 |
AM/2OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: Lt Col |
|
05/14/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 443 |
AM/3OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th AF |
Current Rank: LTCOL |
|
06/13/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 1001 |
|
Issuing Authority: 15th Air Force |
Current Rank: LTC |
|
|
08/10/1944 |
General Order (GO)* : 2458 |
AM/5OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Silver Oak Leaf Cluster = 5 OLCs |
|
Current Rank: LTCOL |
|
|
05/20/1945 |
General Order (GO)* : 98 |
|
Issuing Authority: 5AF |
Current Rank: CAPT |
ROS On Roster Type Document |
|
10/19/1945 |
General Order (GO)* : 166 |
|
Issuing Authority: 5AF |
Current Rank: CAPT |
ROS On Roster Type Document |
* Documents are of the type/classification of "General Order" for most award documents. The listed documents are GO, General Order unless otherwise stated. For example. Special Orders.
The Issuing Authority is the Command and author of the document.
Please contact us with any biographical data, pictures or other information regarding the service and life of Frederick Eaton.