Glenn T. Eagleston

Glenn Todd Eagleston (March 12, 1921 – May 7, 1991) was a career officer in the

The 354th Fighter Group, dubbed "Pioneers," were equipped with the P-51B Mustangs on November 1943 and was loaned to the Eighth Air Force for bomber escort duty, where Donald Blakeslee served as the temporary commanding officer of the group. On December, the 354th FG began flying missions over France. The 354th flew through the bad winter weather of 1943–44, typically dividing its three squadrons into four color-coded flights of four planes each.

On January 5, 1944, the 354th was covering bomber withdrawal from Kiel when they engaged a formation of Luftwaffe fighters. Eagleston shot down an Fw 190 with a short burst, at 45 degrees of deflection. The aircraft crashed into the ground, crediting Eagleston with his first aerial victory. On the same mission, the 354th FG shot down 18 enemy aircraft. Eagleston flew escort missions regularly, and his score increased: a Bf 110 on January 30, single Bf 110's on both February 21 and 22, and a Bf 109 on March 6, making him a flying ace.

The 354th resumed its original tactical role in Spring 1944, in preparation for

Eagleston was credited with 18 1/2 victories, two probable victories, and seven damaged German aircraft. He also destroyed at least five enemy aircraft on the ground. During his time in the 354th FG, he flew P-51 Mustang named "Feeble Eagle".[1]

Post-war

He served as assistant director of operations and training at

He flew 84 missions and damaged seven and one probable. On December 22, 1950, he downed his first MiG-15 over the Yalu River, wounding the pilot. On 22 April 1951, he claimed his second MiG-15 which, in fact, probably survived.^[3]

Eagleston's F-86A was badly damaged by a MiG-15 flown by Sergei Kramarenko on June 17, 1951, and he belly-landed at Kimpo Air Base. The jet was damaged beyond repair and was written off.^{[citation needed]} The leader of the two Sabres who came to assist Eagleston was also a notable combat pilot: Lt.Col. Bruce Hinton, the first Sabre pilot to shoot down a MiG-15 on December 17, 1950. Eagleston returned to the United States in September 1951.^[2]

Post-Korean War

He next served as commander of the 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Group and then Deputy Base Commander at Suffolk County Air Base, from September 1951 to April 1952. He was Director of Operations and Training at Headquarters Eastern Air Defense Force at Stewart Air Base, from April 1952 to October 1953, when he became commander of the 4750th Training Group at Vincent Air Base.

Eagleston became Deputy Commander of the 4750th Air Defense Wing, also at Vincent AFB, in June 1955, and then served as Director of Operations of the 313th Air Division followed by duty as commander of the 6313th Air Base Wing, both at Kadena Air Base, until July 1960. He was next made Base Commander for the 4756th Air Defense Group at Tyndall Air Base, where he served from July 1960 to April 1962.

This was followed by duty as Deputy Commander and then Commander of the

Eagleston died on May 7, 1991. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

	Distinguished Service Cross
	Silver Star
	Legion of Merit
	oak leaf clusters
	Bronze Star Medal
	Air Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters
	Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)
	Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with silver oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
	Army Good Conduct Medal
	American Defense Service Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	campaign stars
	World War II Victory Medal
	Army of Occupation Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Korean War Service Medal with one silver campaign star

Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster

  Korean War Service Medal

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Eagleston, Glenn

Captain, U.S Army Air Forces

353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force

Date of Action: October 29, 1944

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe: General Orders No. 13 (1945)

Citation:

Captain (Air Corps) Glenn T. Eagleston, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the

353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 29 October 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Captain Eagleston shot down three enemy aircraft in a single mission. Captain Eagleston's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.^[4]