World War II Honoree

Burgin L. Beal

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

North Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SAILED WITH HIS BATTALION FROM THE NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JULY 1, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN ENGLAND ON JULY 7, 1944. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 305TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, 80TH INFANTRY 'BLUE RIDGE' DIVISION. HIS BATTALION LANDED AT UTAH BEACH IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON AUGUST 6, 1944 AND PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. TOOK PART IN THE BATTLE FOR THE FALAISE GAP, AND OPERATIONS TO CROSS THE MEUSE, MOSELLE AND SEILLE RIVERS DESPITE ENEMY ACTION, MUD AND MINES. FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN LUXEMBOURG, AGAINST WEST WALL FORTIFICATIONS AND PILLBOXES, AND IN RIVER CROSSING OPERATIONS AT THE RHINE, MAIN, DANUBE AND INN RIVERS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.