Eaken served as a mess cook aboard USS Bunker Hill. While supporting land troops on Okinawa, Eaken would be killed in action on May 11, 1945. That morning, at 1005, two kamikazes hit Bunker Hill within 30 seconds of each other. The first pilot crashed into the flight deck. His name was Lieutenant Junior Grade Seizō Yasunori. Another pilot crashed into the flight deck as well. This was Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa. During this time, Eaken was killed at his battle station. His battle station was one of the Bunker Hill's defensive guns. Eaken was one of 391 soldiers killed because of this attack. Eaken was found dead on the ship, as he was not listed as missing in action. The next day, May 12, 1945, Eaken was buried at sea, along with 352 of his dead comrades.