William Eaton

William Eaton was an American diplomat and military officer in the early 19th century. He is best known for leading an unconventional military expedition in 1805 to secure the independence of the North African state of Tripoli from Ottoman control, during the First Barbary War. Eaton allied with local leverages and a small force, including the famous "Marines and Maltese," to challenge Tripoli’s ruler. His efforts helped influence U.S. policies in North Africa and contributed to America's early efforts to combat piracy and establish a presence in the Mediterranean.