William N. Beeson

William Beeson was born and raised in Knox, Indiana. His father, Allen Beeson, was a tool and die maker for the Chicago Telephone Supply Company in Elkhart, and after completing high school William followed him into a similar industry, becoming a lineman for Rural Electric Membership Corporation.

Beeson joined the Marines on June 15, 1942, and after completing boot camp in San Diego was shipped across the country to attend munitions school at Quantico, Virginia. By December, he was on duty with Company D, First Separate Battalion as an ordnance specialist. He proved to be an excellent Marine, attaining the rank of Corporal by March, 1943.

Corporal Beeson traveled to Camp Pendleton, California with his unit, where they became Dog Company, 24th Marines. However, the change of climate did not agree with him. Beeson was hospitalized for most of June and July; he returned to active duty for only two months before another illness or accident sent him straight back to medical care. He was dutifully carried on the rolls of Dog Company from October 1 to December 3, at which time he was officially transferred out of the unit and to a casual company at Camp Pendleton.

Beeson’s war ended on January 13, 1944. He was discharged for reasons of disability, with a character rating of “excellent.”

Little is known of Beeson’s life after the war. He evidently returned to his hometown, married, and led an active social life before Thelma Beeson passed away on January 17, 1995. William followed her on March 8 – his seventy-fourth birthday.

Today, William and his wife Thelma are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Knox, Indiana.