Norman Dale Eaton
Colonel
HQ SQDN, 35TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF United States Air Force Weatherford, Oklahoma August 11, 1925 to June 28, 1978 (Incident Date January 13, 1969) NORMAN D EATON is on the Wall at Panel W35, Line 82 |
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On the 35th anniversary of my father's loss over Laos, together with his navigator Paul Getchell , I honor both of them for their courage, bravery and dedication to this great country. God bless them both.
Frank Eaton |
I wore Colonel Norman D. Eaton's bracelet for two years. I was in Junior High at the time and could only afford one bracelet. I wore it proudly. Throughout the years I wondered if he'd ever been found. I wrote to the White House and received a letter back saying there wasn't any information on him as yet. Thank you for posting this website. At least now I know. God Bless.
Veronica Hass |
I also wore a POW-MIA bracelet bearing the name of Col. Norman D. Eaton in high school. I sold POW bracelets and distributed literature about VIVA (Voices in Vital America) during my college years to raise money for this cause. One day, the newspaper published a list of MIA's who were officially declared dead. Col. Norman D. Eaton was on that list. Even though I never met him, I wept for him and his family, and buried his bracelet in my backyard. A few months ago, I discovered his name on The Virtual Wall and learned about him. All those years, and I never knew what the "D." in his name stood for. But I knew what he stood for: freedom, America, and honor. I ordered a new POW bracelet with his name engraved on it, and I proudly display it with my POW "holy bear" in my car window. I will always remember the sacrifice he made for America and our people, and he and his family will always be in my prayers.
Joyce Carpenter |
I proudly wore Colonel Eaton's MIA bracelet for two years, beginning in 1971, when I was thirteen. Two years ago, I had the privilege of finding his name on the Moving Wall, the half size replica of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, when it came to St. Louis. What an intensely moving symbol of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many individuals and their families. Last week, my thirteen year old daughter was in Washington, D.C. on a school trip. When they visited the Vietnam Memorial there, she found his name, and brought home a picture of that section of the wall for me. Having this connection, via the MIA bracelet that I had worn, helped make Norman Eaton's sacrifice, and that of so many others, more relevant for her.
Kathy Sedovic |
I am in the United States Navy and recently was on a recovery mission for MIAs in the Peoples' Democratic Republic of Laos. It was my honor and privilege to be a part of the noble effort to bring the fallen heroes home. Captain Getchell and Colonel Eaton are a part of my life, a reminder of why I joined the service. From being there and taking part, I know that the young men and women who continue to bring those who are missing home will not stop or be deterred until they are all home. God Bless our Fallen Heroes and those who return them home to us.
From one of many who work to bring them home. |
I also wore a POW bracelet with Colonel Eaton's name on it. I found it a box of keepsakes several years ago and did some research on the bracelets and the Memorial Wall. I posted a comment on another website in 2004 and on a trip to Washington in 2005 I left the bracelet at the Wall. I recently received a message from his son Frank Eaton with the following info:
Thankfully, for his family the wait is over. I only hope that we continue with our search for the missing till they are all returned home.
Renae Gromatzky |
Welcome Home, Colonel Eaton
From another Vietnam Veteran, |
To the Eaton Family, I have been in prayer for Colonel Eaton since the 8th grade at the same junior high which produced this great hero. May his family know that he was an inspiration to all of his fellow Weatherford, Oklahoma natives and especially the school children. He and his family were mentioned in prayer in our high school renunion this past weekend and we are forever grateful for his service to make our country free.
Dennis Kelly |
Today I had time on my hands. I was grateful for the beautiful Fourth of July and looking forward to spending the evening with my daughters for the celebration. I had a quiet moment to sort through all my old jewelry when I came upon a bracelet that I bought in high school to honor one of the POW-MIAs of Vietnam. The bracelet bore the name of Col. Norman Eaton. I had bent the bracelet to fit my wrist, and I remember wearing it in hopes that somehow the man behind the name would be found. Today I looked up his name on the Internet. I read today that it was just this year that Colonel Norman Eaton's remains were identified, and that his funeral with honors took place on Wednesday, April 25th. I never realized how much it would mean to finally find out that he was found and what happened to him. I never knew that I would feel so much sorrow. It was a privilege to be able to wear a bracelet with his name and I am thankful for his sacrifice to this country. I pray that someday we will not have to lose any more of our loved ones in war. To know that Colonel Eaton's family can finally have him home makes this Fourth of July even more special.
Patti Barila-Wilmot |
A Note from The Virtual Wall
Lt Col Eaton was promoted to Colonel while in MIA status. On 28 June 1978 the Secretary of the Air Force approved a Presumptive Finding of Death for Colonel Eaton, changing his status to "Died while Missing". The remains of the two men have not been repatriated.
Norman Dale Eaton was a member of the United States Military Academy Class of 1949. The photo is taken from the USMA 1949 yearbook, The Howitzer. While there have been press reports regarding the excavation of the crash site, including mention of the recovery of possible human remains and Col Eaton's dog tag, as of 10 Apr 2005 the Department of Defense has not announced the positive identification of either Col Eaton's or LtCol Getchell's remains.
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