World War II Honoree

Donald C. Beechinor

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

San Francisco, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 2ND LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JUNE 22, 1942 AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. AFTER OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL ‘OCS’ AND PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED AS COMMANDER OF D-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1945 WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN AND WAS BURIED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT THE GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL CEMETERY, SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA.