A rose by any other name, would not be Arthur Rose Eldred. As you might imagine, being the first person to ever earn Eagle Scout, there is a lot to the story.
Arthur began his Scouting journey when BSA Troop 1 of Oceanside, NY on Long Island was founded by his older brother, Hubert W. Eldred who was 12 years older that Arthur. Hubert became the first Scoutmaster of Troop 1 and, under his guidance, Troop 1 flourished and became one of the first BSA troops to be fully uniformed.
Now, it happened that Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the world Scouting movement, was to visit the United States in 1912 for a lecture tour and to meet with BSA officials. Because of their reputation and because they were known to be fully uniformed, Troop 1 was selected to be honor guard for Baden-Powell upon his arrival in New York on January 31st, the very day of Arthur’s board of review.
Arthur Rose Eldred
The First Eagle Scout, 1912
Today, Eagle Scout candidates must complete an Eagle Board of Review with members of their troop and at least 1 representative from their council. But Arthur Rose Eldred was not just an Eagle Scout candidate, he was the first candidate to reach the board of review so his was made up of leaders from the BSA national organization including founders James E West, Daniel Carter Beard, and Ernest Thompson Seton along with Arthur R. Forbush, and Wilbert E. Longfellow, who wrote in the Handbook for Boys on life-saving and swimming.
Eagle Scout Award
Presented to Arthur Rode Eldred
As if that was not enough awesome in one place at one time, when Baden-Powell found out that Arthur’s Board of Review was that day, he not only ended up attending, but he was a participant as well. However, it wasn’t until August of 1912 that James E. West officially informed Arthur that he was the first Eagle Scout.
August was a big month for Arthur because he earned a second award of high distinction that month. While camping with Troop 1, another Scout, a non-swimmer, waded into the lake and found himself in water above his head. Arthur saw his distress and swam out to him. The young Scout was panicking and grabbed both Arthur and a third Scout, who had also swam out to help, and dragged them both under in what was described as a death grip. Arthur managed to gain control of the situation and pulled the young Scout to safety, returning to also assist the Scout who had tried to help. For his heroic efforts, Arthur was later awarded the BSA Honor medal by founder and Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton.
Arthur Rose Eldred’s legacy continued with the next three generations of his family earning Eagle Scout. And, beyond that, it continues still with each Scout the pursues the dream of Eagle Scout to its fulfillment.
