Durant in Bryan County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
General Ira Eaker
(April 13, 1896 August 6, 1987)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2025
1. General Ira Eaker Marker
An aviation pioneer and American hero, was educated at Southeastern. The 1917 graduate set numerous flying records in the 1920s. As General of the United States Army Air Forces, he commanded the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Eaker was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, in 1970 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1896.
Location. 33° 59.493′ N, 96° 22.577′ W. Marker is in Durant, Oklahoma, in Bryan County. It is on North 1st Avenue (State Highway 78) just south of Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the north side of a concrete pedestal along the walkway in Market Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Evergreen Street, Durant OK 74701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fisher Durant (here, next to this marker); Robert Lee Williams (here, next to this marker); The Square Cafe (here, next to this marker); Durant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away);
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Ira Clarence Eaker (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Eaker, as second-in-command of the prospective Eighth Air Force, was sent to England to form and organize its bomber command. While he struggled to build up airpower in England, the organization of the Army Air Forces evolved and he was named commander of the Eighth Air Force on December 1, 1942.(Submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Although his background was in single-engine fighter aircraft, Eaker became the architect of a strategic bombing force that ultimately numbered forty groups of 60 heavy bombers each, supported by a subordinate fighter command of 1,500 aircraft, most of which was in place by the time he relinquished command at the start of 1944. Eaker then took overall command of four Allied air forces based in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and by the end of World War II had been named Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Air Forces. He worked in the aerospace industry following hisretirement from the military, then became a newspaper columnist.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 20252. General Ira Eaker MarkerLooking south through Market Square; North 1st Avenue is on the left.
Much of Eaker's initial staff, including Captain Frederick W. Castle, Captain Beirne Lay, Jr., and Lieutenant Harris Hull, was composed of reserve rather than career military officers, and the group became known as "Eaker's Amateurs". Eaker's position as commander of the Eighth Air Force led to his becoming the model for the fictional Major General Pat Pritchard in the 1949 movie Twelve O'Clock High.
The airport in Durant, Oklahoma was renamed Eaker Field to honor Eaker, a graduate of Southeastern State College in Durant. Now known as Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the student aviation majors use the airport as the home of the flight school.
2. General Ira C. Eaker (U.S. Air Force Biography).
Excerpt: General Eaker is a pilot with 12,000 flying hours in 30 years of flying. His military decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal; Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal; World War I and II Victory Medals; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with bronze service stars.(Submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
General Eaker is co-author of "This Flying Game," "Army Flyer," and "Winged Warfare." Since 1962 he authored a weekly column, carried by more than 35 newspapers, on subjects in the national security area.
On Oct. 10, 1978, the president of the United States, authorized by act of Congress, awarded in the name of the congress, a special Congressional Gold Medal to General Eaker, for contributing immeasurably to the development of aviation and to the security of his country.
Almost 40 years after his retirement, Congress passed special legislation awarding four-star status to General Eaker, prompted by Senator Barry Goldwater and endorsed by President Ronald Reagan. On April 26, 1985, Chief of Staff General Charles Gabriel and Ruth Eaker, the general's wife, pinned on his fourth star.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
