Arthur Rose Eldred, born on August 16, 1895, in Brooklyn, New York, is celebrated as the first Eagle Scout in the history of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). His journey to this esteemed rank in 1912 marked a pivotal moment in Scouting history and set a precedent for generations to follow.
Raised in Oceanside, Long Island, Eldred’s Scouting journey began when his older brother, Hubert W. Eldred, helped establish Troop 1 in nearby Rockville Centre in November 1910. Troop 1 quickly gained recognition for its discipline and uniformity, catching the attention of Chief Scout Executive James E. West. In January 1912, Troop 1 had the honor of serving as an honor guard for the arrival of Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell in New York Harbor. Eldred, then 16, was among the Scouts who greeted Baden-Powell, impressing him with his extensive collection of merit badges.
To achieve the Eagle Scout rank, Eldred completed 21 merit badges, a requirement that was both rigorous and rare at the time. His board of review, held on January 31, 1912, was conducted by a distinguished panel that included Baden-Powell, Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, James E. West, and Wilbert E. Longfellow. This review was notably challenging, with Eldred being the first to undergo such a thorough examination. After a month of deliberation, Eldred was officially awarded the Eagle Scout rank on March 29, 1912. Due to the novelty of the award, the Eagle Scout medal had not yet been designed, so Eldred received his medal on September 2, 1912.
In addition to his Eagle Scout rank, Eldred demonstrated remarkable bravery. In August 1912, while camping with Troop 1 at Orange Lake, he rescued a fellow Scout, Melvin Daly, from drowning. For this heroic act, Eldred was awarded the Bronze Honor Medal, one of the first of its kind in Scouting history.
Eldred’s contributions extended beyond his youth. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I, enlisting in January 1918. After the war, he pursued a career in agriculture and transportation management. Eldred remained active in Scouting, serving as troop committee chairman for Troop 77 in Clementon, New Jersey, and participating in local school boards and the Camden County Council.
Arthur Eldred’s legacy endures through his family, with four generations having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He passed away on January 4, 1951, at the age of 55. In recognition of his pioneering role in Scouting, the Village of Rockville Centre dedicated Eagle Scout Park in his memory in 1976, a ceremony attended by his widow, son Bill, and grandsons.
Arthur Rose Eldred’s dedication to Scouting and his exemplary service set a standard for future generations, embodying the values of leadership, service, and commitment that continue to define the Eagle Scout rank today.