Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921. Before he could blink, he was a 1st Lieutenant paratroop officer in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US 82nd Airborne Division. At Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he received his assignment: Platoon Leader of the 81mm Mortar Platoon of the 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR. The men in his platoon were all parachute trained, but he turned them from boys to men at Ft. Bragg.
It wasn't long before a newly-married Peter Eaton arrived in North Africa with his men, and were putting on their parachutes to spearhead the invasion of Sicily on the night of July 9-10, 1943. This would be their first taste of combat. As they took off from their airfields on the brightly lit night, they had no idea what to expect. Once they approached the coast of Sicily, German anti-aircraft batteries began unleashing their goods. However, to 3rd Battalion men in the planes, it wasn't very good. Chaos reigned, and troopers were scattered over a 60 mile front.
1st Lt. Eaton landed with 3 planeloads in-tact. He took commanded of the men, gathered all the equipment he could find, and started off into the unknown, having no idea where he was at. Over the next few days, he led his mini-army and attacked many Italians, with great success. For his leadership abilities, he received recognition for his efforts from higher headquarters.
He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon leaders in the company recalled, "Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed." His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the Battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn't available.
This American hero passed away on February 1st, 2000 in Clark County, NV.
Part 1 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
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Part 2 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921 in Albany, New York. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the 27th Infantry Division, which was then New York’s National Guard unit, and was assigned to Company C, 105th Infantry. He eventually rose to the rank of corporal. Soon the division was called into federal service as a US Army infantry division. He volunteered for Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. Upon graduating Parachute School as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA. While in training, he married Frances Howard of Phoenix City, AL. Here, Eaton was given command of the 3rd Battalion 81mm Mortar Platoon. His assistant platoon leader was Lt. Allen McClain.
In Sicily, he led his mini-army of mortar men, attacking Italian troops with great success. Over one-quarter of his platoon received Silver Stars for their actions. He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon recalled, “Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed.” His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn’t available.
In March 1944, Peter Eaton left his mortar platoon to the charge of Lt. McClain. He left once again returning to Ft. Benning, GA to instruct at The Parachute School, where he finished his service in World War II. After the war, Peter Eaton never spoke again to his fellow paratroopers, nor attended the reunions. Peter Eaton passed away on February 1st, 2000 outside Las Vegas, NV.
It wasn't long before a newly-married Peter Eaton arrived in North Africa with his men, and were putting on their parachutes to spearhead the invasion of Sicily on the night of July 9-10, 1943. This would be their first taste of combat. As they took off from their airfields on the brightly lit night, they had no idea what to expect. Once they approached the coast of Sicily, German anti-aircraft batteries began unleashing their goods. However, to 3rd Battalion men in the planes, it wasn't very good. Chaos reigned, and troopers were scattered over a 60 mile front.
1st Lt. Eaton landed with 3 planeloads in-tact. He took commanded of the men, gathered all the equipment he could find, and started off into the unknown, having no idea where he was at. Over the next few days, he led his mini-army and attacked many Italians, with great success. For his leadership abilities, he received recognition for his efforts from higher headquarters.
He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon leaders in the company recalled, "Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed." His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the Battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn't available.
This American hero passed away on February 1st, 2000 in Clark County, NV.
Part 1 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
-------------------
Part 2 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921 in Albany, New York. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the 27th Infantry Division, which was then New York’s National Guard unit, and was assigned to Company C, 105th Infantry. He eventually rose to the rank of corporal. Soon the division was called into federal service as a US Army infantry division. He volunteered for Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. Upon graduating Parachute School as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA. While in training, he married Frances Howard of Phoenix City, AL. Here, Eaton was given command of the 3rd Battalion 81mm Mortar Platoon. His assistant platoon leader was Lt. Allen McClain.
In Sicily, he led his mini-army of mortar men, attacking Italian troops with great success. Over one-quarter of his platoon received Silver Stars for their actions. He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon recalled, “Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed.” His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn’t available.
In March 1944, Peter Eaton left his mortar platoon to the charge of Lt. McClain. He left once again returning to Ft. Benning, GA to instruct at The Parachute School, where he finished his service in World War II. After the war, Peter Eaton never spoke again to his fellow paratroopers, nor attended the reunions. Peter Eaton passed away on February 1st, 2000 outside Las Vegas, NV.
Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921. Before he could blink, he was a 1st Lieutenant paratroop officer in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US 82nd Airborne Division. At Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he received his assignment: Platoon Leader of the 81mm Mortar Platoon of the 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR. The men in his platoon were all parachute trained, but he turned them from boys to men at Ft. Bragg.
It wasn't long before a newly-married Peter Eaton arrived in North Africa with his men, and were putting on their parachutes to spearhead the invasion of Sicily on the night of July 9-10, 1943. This would be their first taste of combat. As they took off from their airfields on the brightly lit night, they had no idea what to expect. Once they approached the coast of Sicily, German anti-aircraft batteries began unleashing their goods. However, to 3rd Battalion men in the planes, it wasn't very good. Chaos reigned, and troopers were scattered over a 60 mile front.
1st Lt. Eaton landed with 3 planeloads in-tact. He took commanded of the men, gathered all the equipment he could find, and started off into the unknown, having no idea where he was at. Over the next few days, he led his mini-army and attacked many Italians, with great success. For his leadership abilities, he received recognition for his efforts from higher headquarters.
He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon leaders in the company recalled, "Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed." His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the Battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn't available.
This American hero passed away on February 1st, 2000 in Clark County, NV.
Part 1 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
-------------------
Part 2 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921 in Albany, New York. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the 27th Infantry Division, which was then New York’s National Guard unit, and was assigned to Company C, 105th Infantry. He eventually rose to the rank of corporal. Soon the division was called into federal service as a US Army infantry division. He volunteered for Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. Upon graduating Parachute School as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA. While in training, he married Frances Howard of Phoenix City, AL. Here, Eaton was given command of the 3rd Battalion 81mm Mortar Platoon. His assistant platoon leader was Lt. Allen McClain.
In Sicily, he led his mini-army of mortar men, attacking Italian troops with great success. Over one-quarter of his platoon received Silver Stars for their actions. He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon recalled, “Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed.” His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn’t available.
In March 1944, Peter Eaton left his mortar platoon to the charge of Lt. McClain. He left once again returning to Ft. Benning, GA to instruct at The Parachute School, where he finished his service in World War II. After the war, Peter Eaton never spoke again to his fellow paratroopers, nor attended the reunions. Peter Eaton passed away on February 1st, 2000 outside Las Vegas, NV.
It wasn't long before a newly-married Peter Eaton arrived in North Africa with his men, and were putting on their parachutes to spearhead the invasion of Sicily on the night of July 9-10, 1943. This would be their first taste of combat. As they took off from their airfields on the brightly lit night, they had no idea what to expect. Once they approached the coast of Sicily, German anti-aircraft batteries began unleashing their goods. However, to 3rd Battalion men in the planes, it wasn't very good. Chaos reigned, and troopers were scattered over a 60 mile front.
1st Lt. Eaton landed with 3 planeloads in-tact. He took commanded of the men, gathered all the equipment he could find, and started off into the unknown, having no idea where he was at. Over the next few days, he led his mini-army and attacked many Italians, with great success. For his leadership abilities, he received recognition for his efforts from higher headquarters.
He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon leaders in the company recalled, "Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed." His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the Battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn't available.
This American hero passed away on February 1st, 2000 in Clark County, NV.
Part 1 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
-------------------
Part 2 - Bio supplied by Tyler Fox, a volunteer historian of the 504th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
Peter J. Eaton was born March 27th, 1921 in Albany, New York. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the 27th Infantry Division, which was then New York’s National Guard unit, and was assigned to Company C, 105th Infantry. He eventually rose to the rank of corporal. Soon the division was called into federal service as a US Army infantry division. He volunteered for Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. Upon graduating Parachute School as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA. While in training, he married Frances Howard of Phoenix City, AL. Here, Eaton was given command of the 3rd Battalion 81mm Mortar Platoon. His assistant platoon leader was Lt. Allen McClain.
In Sicily, he led his mini-army of mortar men, attacking Italian troops with great success. Over one-quarter of his platoon received Silver Stars for their actions. He took his mortar men into battle again in Italy later that year, and proved yet again to be a good officer. One of his fellow platoon recalled, “Pete was a natural comedian, [he] kept us laughing and relaxed when needed.” His mortar men were a huge part in the success of the battalion, they provide crucial support when artillery wasn’t available.
In March 1944, Peter Eaton left his mortar platoon to the charge of Lt. McClain. He left once again returning to Ft. Benning, GA to instruct at The Parachute School, where he finished his service in World War II. After the war, Peter Eaton never spoke again to his fellow paratroopers, nor attended the reunions. Peter Eaton passed away on February 1st, 2000 outside Las Vegas, NV.
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