USS EATON. (DD-510)

• Namesake: USS Eaton (DD-510) was named after William Eaton, a U.S. Army officer and diplomat notable for his exploits during the First Barbary War, particularly the daring 1805 attack on Derna, Tripoli. • Class & Launch: She was a Fletcher-class destroyer, launched on 20 June 1942 by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on 4 December 1942. • World War II Service: Eaton served extensively in the Pacific Theater during WWII, participating in major campaigns including the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Philippines, and Okinawa. • Torpedo Damage: On 1 November 1943, during the Bougainville landings, Eaton was struck by a Japanese torpedo, resulting in significant damage and casualties, but she managed to survive and was repaired. • Kamchatka Incident: In November 1945, after WWII, USS Eaton was involved in a Cold War-era incident when she entered Soviet waters near Kamchatka, resulting in a tense standoff and international diplomatic protest. • Korean War Service: After being recommissioned, Eaton served in the Korean War, providing gunfire support, screening aircraft carriers, and patrolling for enemy submarines. • Suez Crisis: In 1956, during the Suez Crisis, USS Eaton was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, helping to protect American interests and evacuate civilians. • Peacetime Collisions: In 1956, she collided with the destroyer USS Power (DD-839) off Newport, Rhode Island, suffering damage that required repairs at the Boston Naval Shipyard. • Decommission and Fate: USS Eaton was decommissioned on 21 May 1969. She was later sunk as a target off the Virginia Capes in 1970, ending her long naval career. • Battle Stars: For her WWII service, USS Eaton earned 10 battle stars, marking her as one of the more highly decorated destroyers of her class and era.