Richard H. Eagan was born on June 13, 1918 to George and Bridget (Hyde) Eagan. The family lived at 24 Buxton St. Richard had four siblings: George, Mary, Gertrude, and Grace. He was a watchman at Eastman Gelatine before serving in World War II. He graduated with the Peabody High School Class of 1936, in which he was senior class president.
Eagan enlisted on May 28, 1942. He named his P-51 Mustang after his hometown. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 5, 1945.
In 1948, Eagan married Geraldine Bisson, and had four children: Richard, Rand, Nancy, and Patricia. Eagan died at the age of 82, in Beverly on May 17, 2001.
