ELDON E. LOUD S/Sgt., was born on October 29, 1924 in St. Louis, MO. He entered service in May 1943, completed infantry basic and graduated Jump School at Ft. Benning in November of that same year. Loud was assigned to the 541st RIR at Camp MacKall, NC where after 26 training jumps, he was sent as a combat replacement to Leyte with the 511th PIR and the 188th PIR of the 11th Abn Division in the Philippines to a Parachute Infantry Regt. In Luzon. While in combat with the 511th Loud was moved to Japan to spearhead Okinawa and Atsugi in July and August of 1945. The 188th moved from Yokohama to Sendai and Loud along with another sergeant ran the MP unit in Shiogama until March 1946. After serving his duty Loud was shipped home for discharge as S/Sgt. in April of 1946.

Loud prestigious awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Jump Wings, Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation with two Bronze Stars, Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Expert Rifleman, Good Conduct Medal and Honorable WWII Lapel Button. Eldon Loud has held most Officers seats with the Masons, VFW, DAV, and the AM. LEG. After serving his country and completing college, Eldon Loud, was the Personnel Director and Investigator with the Civil Service Commission and also the VP and Regional Director of a large grocery food chain before he retired in 1977.

In 2001, Loud claims he is no longer retired; he is a life time member, the founder and one of the most distinguish memebers of the Space Coast All Airborne Chapter of the 82 Airborne Division Association in Sebastian, Florida. He is also a life time member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and the MOPH and served as a commander in each organization as well. He designed the distinctive blue vest and patch seen at all our 82nd functions and proudly accepts the responsibility to conduct the Annual All Florida Airborne Days in Vero Beach, Florida with great success in 1989.

Eldon and his beautiful wife, Roberta, were married since May of 1946 and resided in Sebastian, Florida. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Karen and Sherryl, and enjoy 6 wonderful grandchildren. Since Jump school, Loud was always ALL THE WAY and once he accepted a challenge he always saw it through to a successful conclusion. Eldon was the founder of the Space Coast Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association.