Major General Robert Danton Eaglet (Ret)

Major General Robert D Eaglet, (ret), passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025. He was 91

years of age, had a long and exceptional life, and was loved by his family and friends.

The general was born in Cleveland, OH on March 2, 1934 to Albert R and Dorothy M Eaglet, nee Beamer. He entered the Air Force from Cleveland after graduating from East High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1962, and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1970.

The general was selected for the aviation cadet program and received his wings and commission in March 1956 as a distinguished graduate. He was a T-33 and F-86 pilot instructor at Perrin AFB, Denison, TX, where he also met and married the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, the former Sally Jo Perry of Sherman, TX.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Gen Eaglet received his first Air Force Systems Command assignment to the Space Systems Division in Los Angeles.

From August 1965 to January 1966 the general was assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Republic of Viet Nam, where he served as a forward air controller in support of the Vietnamese army. He then served as an air liaison officer and forward air controller for the US Army’s Cavalry Division. He flew more than 500 missions, many of them scouting dangerous enemy troop movements, or supporting US ground forces in his favored 0-1 Bird Dog.

In August 1966, he returned to Space Systems Divisions, where he managed space electronics technology programs and was placed in charge of developing the payload vehicle for an operational space system for an additional year.

After receiving his doctorate in 1970, the general was assigned to Headquarters US Air Force,

where he was a program manager and division chief for strategic defense programs. He then

became a military assistant to the principal deputy director for defense research and engineering in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In July 1975 General Eaglet was named deputy program manager of NATO AWACS Program Office in Brussels, Belgium. After the NATO nations’ decision to procure a force of E-3s, the general was appointed deputy general manager of the NATO AWACS Program Management Agency. To this day, the resulting NATO AWACS program is considered to be the most successful international cooperative development and production program ever conducted by the US.

He transferred to Air Force Systems Command headquarters in July 1979 as assistant deputy chief of staff and was made deputy chief of staff of plans and programs in Feb 1983. In 1984, he became deputy commander for research, development, acquisition, Armament Division Eglin AFB Florida.

General Eaglet was named program director for the F-16 fighter program, Wright Patterson AFB, OH in July 1986. He became deputy assistant secretary for management policy and program integration, Office of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force 1990.

General Eaglet retired from the Air Force after 35 years on March 1, 1991.

The general was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, including 1,000 combat hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with with “V” device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 25 oak clusters, and several unit and foreign citations. The University of Southern California of Engineering designated him as Outstanding Alumnus for 1984.

Over the next 18 years, as a footnote to his military assignments, General Eaglet enjoyed working as a consultant for 41 different companies and government agencies due to his extensive experience, and favorable relationships with senior officials in over 30 foreign countries. He consulted for 34 commercial companies, 10 of which were foreign and 7 government agencies, including the Minister of Finance of Greece.

The general had a very noteworthy, and distinguished career, but his commitment to his family was the most important to him. He and Sally traveled extensively throughout their long marriage, both during active duty, and in retired years, and that love of travel was something they passed on to their children at an early age with family vacations. The general was an exceptional, and loving father, grandfather, and role model.

General Eaglet’s wife of 61 years, Sally, passed away in August, 2021. His grandson, Jack Langan, predeceased him in July 1995. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Pate (Henry), Allison Langan (John), son Kevin Eaglet, and eight grandchildren, Todd Pate, Brandon Pate, Tyler Pate, Sally Langan, Sam Langan, Lucy Langan, Lauren Eaglet, and Andy Eaglet

Interment with full military honors will take place at Arlington Cemetery at a later date.