William Eaton

Who was William Eaton?

William Eaton was a United States Army officer and the Consul to Tunis. He played an important diplomatic and military role in the First Barbary War between the United States and Tripoli. He led the first foreign United States military victory at the Battle of Derne by capturing the Tripoli subject city of Derne in support of the restoration of the pasha, Hamet Caramelli. William Eaton also gave testimony at the treason trial of Aaron Burr. He served one term in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Eaton died on June 1, 1811 at the age of forty-seven. The World War II destroyer USS Eaton was named after him.