World War II Honoree

William Beaman

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Dayton, Ohio

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY IN OCTOBER 1942. WORKED AS AN AUXILIARY MAN ON HYDRAULICS, AIR SYSTEMS AND PERISCOPES. SERVED ON THE USS FLASHER SS-249. IT PATROLLED THE PANAMA CANAL, PEARL HARBOR AND THEN WENT TO ITS HOME PORT IN AUSTRALIA. THEY ATTACKED SHIPS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE AREA AROUND THE PHILIPPINES. THEIR JOB WAS TO STOP ANY SHIPPING THAT WENT TO JAPAN. IT SANK THE MOST TONNAGE OF ANY SUBMARINE DURING WWII, 103,000 TONS, APPROXIMATELY 24 SHIPS IN TOTAL. HE SERVED 22 YEARS WITH THE NAVY.