One Of The Few World War II Paratroopers To Make 4 Combat Jumps With The 82nd Airborne Has Died
Fewer than 3,000 paratroopers made four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II.
Following the death of retired 1st Sgt. Harold Eatman, fewer than 16 of those paratroopers are alive today.
First Sgt. Eatman, 102, died Friday at his home in Matthews, near Charlotte, according to the 82nd Airborne Division. He jumped into Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland during the war, taking part in some of the most famous battles of the European theater.
A spokesman for the division said fewer than 2,800 paratroopers were involved in all four of those combat jumps.
“Harold Eatman was among the generation of All American paratroopers who defeated Nazism, liberated Europe, and inspired many generations of paratroopers to follow,” said Lt. Col. Joe Buccino, spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division. “We always say that when you wear the Double A patch, you walk among legends. One of those legends has passed.”
https://taskandpurpose.com/82nd-airborne-paratrooper-eatman-death/
= new reply since forum marked as read
For our freedom.
Each bronze star at the bottom represents one combat jump. What an incredible achievement.
Thank you, Top Eatman. RIP.
