Robert Francis Eaton
Sergeant, U.S. Army

During World War II, Sergeant Robert Francis Eaton served with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division in France.

Together with the 4th Armored Division, on 11 and 12 September 1944 the 2nd Battalion, 320th Infantry Regiment had forced a crossing of the Muerthe River about five miles southeast of Nancy and continued on into Dombasle, pursuing the slowly withdrawing German defenders. North of Nancy, the 80th Division had crossed the Moselle River and together the 80th and 35th Infantry Divisions were preparing to close a noose around the East of the city. Following the 137th Infantry, the rest of the 320th Regiment was preparing to cross the Moselle River, where the 1st Battalion was to begin an attack on 13 September to clear the high ground North and East of the bridge in order to establish a bridgehead.

The sharp fighting with the Germans in which the 2nd Battalion was involved included the heavy use of tanks and antitank guns by the Germans. In fact, one soldier was blown out of his foxhole three times in three hours by the deadly German 88 mm guns (he survived). The battle was watched from the Battalion Observation Post by Lieutenant General George Patton. As the Germans were driven from their positions, the Third Army commander, pleased at the tactics employed, grinned and said, "Just like at Fort Benning."

Sergeant Robert Eaton was killed in action on 12 September 1944.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Burial

Sergeant Robert Francis Eaton is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Plot C, Row 18, Grave 49. He has a memorial stone in Summit Cemetery in Williamston located near his parents grave stones, Ingham County, MI.