World War II Honoree

Ira Ayer Beal

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Campbell, California

Honored By

Family

HE JOINED THE U.S. COAST GUARD IN 1938, SERVING ON THE COAST GUARD CUTTER HAMILTON WPG-34, A TREASURY CLASS CUTTER ON THE ALASKAN PATROL. HE WAS TRAINED AND SERVED AS THE COAST GUARD'S FIRST BOMBARDIER GUNNER'S MATE ON THE USS NORTHLAND WPG-49, A CRUISING-CLASS GUNBOAT, THE U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER BEAR WMEC-901, A MEDIUM ENDURANCE CUTTER AND THE USS NORTHSTAR WPG-59 IN WWII. HE SERVED ON A SPECIAL MISSION IN GREENLAND BEFORE THE U.S. ENTRY INTO WWII. HE WAS PART OF A TWO MAN TEAM THAT LANDED ON THE COAST OF GREENLAND IN 1940 TO SEARCH FOR AND MONITOR GERMAN RADIO STATIONS. THIS MISSION WAS TO LAST BUT A FEW WEEKS BUT THE HARBOR FROZE AND HE AND HIS MATE WERE STRANDED FOR A YEAR. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE CAPTURE OF THE FIRST GERMAN SHIP IN WWII, THE 'BUSKOE', ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1942.