In Celebration: The Life of

8 MSgt. Richard Selden Eaton, Jr.


A Memorial Announcement
...In Remembrance
of Richard Selden Eaton, Jr.
February 9, 1966 to August 12, 2003



Taps


* * *
Go to sleep, peaceful sleep.
May the soldier or sailor God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

* * *

Richard Selden Eaton, Jr. - 2000
Eaton family handout

We celebrate the life of Richard S. Eaton, Jr. who was born to Richard S. and Sharon Noble Eaton only 37 short years ago.

Rick, Jr., an only child, lived most of his lifetime in Guilford, CT on the coast near New Haven. Rick, a descendant of John Eaton of Dedham, grew up listening to stories about the legacy left by his family members who contributed in their own special way to the history of America. Many of his ancestors were scientists and educators, several of great renown. His 4th g-grandfather was Amos Eaton, the founder of Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute. His 2nd g-grandfather, Daniel Cady Eaton,was a well-known botanist and Yale Professor, author and an original member and the Secretary of our Association during the 1880s. Rick Jr's g-grandfather was George Francis Eaton, who served in U.S. Naval Reserve during WWI and was a Yale professor, curator at Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History and the scientific leader of the highly chronicled search for the "Lost City of the Incas" in Machu Piccu, Peru. His own father, Rick, Sr., a former Senator from Connecticut and the President of our Association, is now a spokesman for the University of New Haven. Coincidentally, he grew up in the home of Theophilus Jones, the grandson of Theophilus Eaton, first Governor of New Haven Colony. The home was built c. 1700 in Wallingford, Connecticut, north of New Haven.

The stories that Rick liked best, however, were those of the military exploits of his Eaton forebears. Both of his grandfathers were veterans who loved to tell him stories of their service; Frederik Selden Eaton was a lieutenant in a mounted artillery unit from Yale University during WWI and served in a civilian capacity during WWII; and his grandfather Noble was a pilot in WWII. Over the fireplace mantel in his family home hangs a portrait of his 3rd g-grandfather, Civil War Gen. Amos Beebe Eaton, with his stern face and bushy beard, along with his Civil War sword. The General’s portrait and dress sword have remained in his family’s possession and were given to Rick, Jr., as they were passed down from father to son for generations. His favorite hero, however, was William Eaton, who helped to reinstate the deposed leader of Tripoli and rescue American captives in the early 1800s.

Rick, Jr. knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps and become a soldier. At the age of 18, Rick enlisted in the Army and spent 13 years on active duty; nearly 10 years in Korea, as well as various assignments in Honduras, Korea, Panama and El Salvador. Rick continued to stay in touch through the Army Reserves, and as a civilian, was an Army counterintelligence analyst assigned to the Pentagon. Ironically, Rick escaped the events of 9/11 due to construction on his work area at the Pentagon. Soon thereafter, Rick reactivated his reserve status and was recalled for duty in January, 2003 leaving for Kuwait in March with the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion.

Although his death is still under investigation, initial determination is that he died in his sleep of pulmonary edema, possibly due to heat exhaustion and dehydration, on August 12 (August 11 in Iraq), 2003 at a base camp in the town of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. The investigation will continue, however, as there, unfortunately, have been similar incidents of military stationed in Iraq. Rick, Jr.'s funeral was held on August 23 at the First Congregational Church in Guilford. He will be buried in a family plot at the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven close to General Amos Beebe Eaton.

His friends, his family and his country have offered their tributes to a good man and a great American. In a written statement by Connecticut's Gov. John G. Rowland, the Governor said,
". . .Eaton epitomized the American tradition of the citizen-soldier." In this statement, Gov. Rowland expressed "tremendous sadness" over the death of Eaton, the fourth state serviceman to die while deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. "His devotion and courage to serve is an example to uphold for all future generations," said Rowland, who ordered all state flags to be lowered to half staff until the day of Eaton's funeral. "His life's lesson of faithful service to others will never be forgotten."
According to Guilford First Selectman Carl A. Balestracci, who once taught Rick American History, "The VFW and the American Legion are standing by." Ms. Gillespie of the Associated Press wrote that State Sen. William Aniskovich, who had known the Eaton family for many years, stated: "He was a young man who was dedicated to his country."

Each of us holds in our hearts an example of human greatness, and the long history of the Eaton families has given us many reasons to joyfully celebrate the deeds of our loved ones. Rick, Jr. has followed in the grand tradition of his ancestors as one who now, albeit prematurely, has joined their esteemed ranks. For his dedicated service, Rick, Jr. was issued the Bronze Star and will be given the Knowlton Award, which is a Military Intelligence award. He has also been nominated for membership in the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Let us commemorate the courage and service of a great American as we pay tribute to a life short lived, but full of those qualities we will forever remember and admire. We honor his life and his service and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, with great love to Rick and Sharon. May God grant peace to you and your families, solace in the midst of your deepest trials, and hope that continues to make us one nation under God. We will forever remember Rick as our unsung hero.
For additional information on this great family, see also:

  • General William Hadley Eaton
  • Amos Eaton, Founder of Rensselaer
  • The Dedham Eatons by Daniel C. Eaton (1884)
  • Daniel Cady Eaton, Botonist (1834)
  • General Amos Beebe Eaton.
  • A Soldier's Journal

    Sources:

  • Statement from Governor John G. Rowland on Staff Sergeant Richard S. Eaton, Jr., United States Army Reserves, Press Release - August 12, 2003
  • Spared On 9/11, Army Sgt Dies In Sleep In Iraq - The Hartford Courant Staff
  • "Soldier Dies of Embolism in Iraq" by Diane Scarponi, Guardian Unlimited

    Web Editor