World War II Honoree

Richard P. 'Dick' Beck

Hometown

West Terre Haute, Indiana

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. TAKEN AS A PRISONER OF WAR (POW) IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY THE JAPANESE AND HELD FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE MEDAL FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE DEFENSE OF THE PHILIPPINES. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT.