Eagles was promoted to major general on November 4, 1943 and relieved Troy H. Middleton, who was promoted to the command of VIII Corps. He led the division during the later phase of Landing at Anzio in January 1944 and during the liberation of Rome in June that year. For his service in this capacity, he was decorated with Distinguished Service Medal and also received the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and Bronze Medal of Valor by the Government of Italy. Parts of his division participated in the Biscari massacre during which 73 Axis prisoners of war were murdered by the member of Division's 180th Infantry Regiment.