This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Harry McCown (Mac)
to remember
Beeson, Duane Willard, Lt Col.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Boise, Idaho
Last Address Sarasota Army Air Field, Florida
Date of Passing Feb 15, 1947
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Duane Beeson was born on July 16, 1921, in Boise, Idaho. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on August 15, 1941 and transferred to the British Royal Air Force's American Eagle Squadron 71 on September 5, 1942. Beeson then joined the U.S. Army Air Forces on September 23, 1942, and served with the 334th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group, becoming its commanding officer on March 15, 1944. During the war, Beeson was credited with destroying 17.33 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus an additional 5 while strafing airfields, before being shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War by the Germans on April 5, 1944. After spending 390 days in captivity, he was released when the Russians freed the prison camp he was being held in on April 29, 1945. After the war, he was stationed at Sarasota Army Air Field, Florida, where he met Tracy Waters. They were married in January 1946. Col Beeson was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died on a plane flight to have an operation on February 13, 1947. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
BEESON, DUANE W. (POW)
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Duane W. Beeson (AO-885184), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 29 January 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Captain Beeson shot down two enemy aircraft. Captain Beeson's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces. Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 24 (1944)
1943-1944, P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug)
From Year 1943
To Year 1944
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug) Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Length 36.15 ft | 11.02 m Width 40.68 ft | 12.40 m Height 14.67 ft | 4.47 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double-Wasp eighteen cylinder radial engine generating 2,535hp. Empty Weight 9,949 lbs | 4,513 kg MTOW 17,500 lbs | 7,938 kg Max Speed 433 mph | 697 km/h | 376 kts Max Range 449 miles | 722 km Ceiling 40,994 ft | 12,495 m | 7.8 miles Climb Rate 3,200 ft/min (976 m/min) Hardpoints 3 Armament 8 x 12.7mm Machine Guns 10 x 5 in Air-to-Surface HE Rockets
Provision for bomb load, fuel drop tanks or rockets to a maximum of 2,500lbs (1,134kg). Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* XP-47B - Prototype featuring XR-2800 radial generating 1,850hp. * P-47B - Production model based on XP-47B prototype; R-2800-21 radial engine. * P-47C - Extended fuselage; Later types of this model featuring R-2800-59 radial at 2,300hp; Provisions for drop tanks and bombs. * P-47D - Main production model of which 12,602 produced; R-2800-21W (2,300hp) or R-2800-59W (2,535hp) water-injected radial powerplants; Increased MTOW capacity; Provision for drop tanks and air-to-surface HE rockets. * P-47G - Wright-produced P-47D models of which 354 produced. * P-47M - 'Sprinter' interception model designed to combat the V1 / V2 rocket threat; Featured specialized airbrake system and R-2800-57(C) radial generating 2,800hp; 130 produced. * P-47N - Exclusive Pacific Theater model; Long range variant with increased and reinforced wing section of which 1,816 produced; Longer wingspan with blunt-tipped wing tips concealing fuel compartments; R-2800-77 radial generating 2,800hp.