Korean War
| Service # | 543824 |
|---|---|
| Unit | 74 FITRON |
| Rank | Ensign U.S. Navy |
| Date of Death | June 25 1952 |
| Status | Missing In Action |
| Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Honolulu Memorial |
Air Medal
Combat Action Ribbon (Navy)
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Ensign Eaton was awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Ensign Eaton was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 74 aboard the aircraft carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CV-31). On June 25, 1952, he was attacking target in the Wonsan area of North Korea, when his aircraft was hit by flak at an altitude of 8,000 feet and he bailed out. He was successfully picked up by a H-5H helicopter piloted by Captain Leslie W. Lear from the 3rd Rescue Squadron, U.S. Air Force. Captain Lear's aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed ten miles south of Chongsong-ni Korea, killing all three on board. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.