History of the First Eagle Scout (quoted from National Eagle Scout Association: nesa.org)
"Scout
Arthur Rose Eldred, was a member of Troop 1 in Oceanside, New York, a troop his
brother Hubert had founded in November 1910. The younger Eldred earned his 21st
merit badge in April 1912 at the age of 16. All that remained was an appearance
before a board of review (then called a court of honor).
Since there were
no provisions for local reviews in those early days, Eldred was examined by
perhaps the most exalted and intimidating board of review in Scouting history:
Chief Scout Executive James E. West, Chief Scout Ernest Thompson Seton,
National Scout Commissioner Daniel Carter Beard (another BSA founder), and
Wilbert E. Longfellow of the U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps.
Eldred survived his high-powered grilling.
On August 21, 1912, West notified him that he was the BSA’s first Eagle Scout.
However, he would have to wait until Labor Day to receive his badge because the
dies for making the metal badge hadn’t been created yet."
This is why we look
forward to celebrating the Eagle Court of Honor for Isaiah Springer on Labor
Day Weekend to mark this 100 years celebration of the highest achievement within Boy
Scouts: the rank of Eagle Scout!
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