World War II Honoree

Richard Lawrence Beiting, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Honored By

Family

Relationship

ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AT FORT LANDING, FLORIDA. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO DOG COMPANY, 127TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 32ND INFANTRY DIVISION, THE 'RED ARROW' DIVISION. LANDED ON THE ISLAND OF KYUSHU, JAPAN ONE DAY AFTER ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED ABOARD THE USS MISSOURI ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1945. HIS MISSION WAS TO DESTROY SMALL ARMS AND AMMUNITION. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE 32ND INFANTRY DIVISION WAS DEACTIVATED. AFTER THE DEACTIVATION OF THE 32ND, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO BAKER COMPANY, 519TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION IN YOKOHAMA FOR 13 MONTHS. HIS PRIMARY MISSION WAS TO PROTECT ALL MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL. DURING THIS TIME HE WAS ALSO ASSIGNED TO SECURITY DETAIL AT WAR CRIMES TRIALS, MOST NOTABLY WAS PRESENT AT TRIAL OF PRIME MINISTER HIDEKI TOJO. WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN NOVEMBER, 1946. WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL, ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.