Biography - Brigadier General Errol H. Van Eaton
Outgoing Commander 66th
Aviation Brigade
[Return to 66th Avn Bde Change of Command]
We deeply regret and morn the loss of Brigadier General Errol Van Eaton who was killed when his helicopter crashed during a United Nations sponsored relief mission in Haiti in March of 1999. BG Van Eaton was flying in his civilian capacity as command pilot for an Oregon based air charter service. He is survived by his wife and two sons. This article is being left in our archives as tribute to this outstanding Citizen Soldier.
Brigadier General Van Eaton is a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Yakima. He began his military career by completing Warrant Officer Candidate School in April 1968 and received his Army Aviator Wings in April 1968. Brigadier General Van Eaton then served in Vietnam as an aviator from 1968 to 1969. His next assignment was to Fort Sill, OK, where he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on 11 February 1970. Brigadier General Van Eaton began his service with the United States Army Reserve in November 1971, serving as the Assistant Operations Officer of the 92nd Aviation Company (ASH). He later transferred to the 124th ARCOM, where he served as Aviation Safety Officer and Aviation Standardization and Training Officer from November 1975 to June 1980. From 1980-1988 Brigadier General Van Eaton performed duties of Chief, Training Management Evaluation Division and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel for the 124th ARCOM. From July 1988 to March 1992, BG Van Eaton was Commander of the 1397th Transportation Terminal Unit located in Seattle, WA. BG Van Eaton then transferred to the Washington Army National Guard. From April 1992 to June 1993, BG Van Eaton was the Commander of the 540th Aviation Group (Attack). In June 1993, BG Van Eaton assumed command of the 66th Aviation Brigade (Corps).
BG Van Eaton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1978. His military education includes the Field Artillery Advance Course, Command and General Staff College and US Army War College.
BG Van Eaton has been awarded Master Army Aviator Wings, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with valor device and 2 oak leaf clusters.
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