1. Duane Willard Beeson was an American fighter pilot and flying ace of World War II.
17 Facts About Duane Beeson
1. 2.
Duane Beeson planned to join the Army Air Corps as a pilot, but as he had not completed the required two years of college he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada, which had no such entry qualifications.
3.
Duane Beeson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on June 23,1941, in Vancouver and trained at Prince Albert and Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
4.
On September 5,1942, Duane Beeson was posted to No 71 Squadron at Debden, Essex.
5.
Duane Beeson flew his first combat mission with his new unit, the 334th Fighter Squadron.
6.
In January 1943, Duane Beeson was training on the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.
7.
On May 8,1943, Duane Beeson engaged a group of German fighters and shot down a Bf 109.
8.
Duane Beeson shot down one Bf 109 into the sea, using just 400 rounds of ammunition.
9.
On October 8,1943, Duane Beeson shot down two more Bf 109s over the Netherlands.
10.
On January 29,1944, Duane Beeson shot down a Bf 109 and a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, earning him the Distinguished Service Cross.
11.
Duane Beeson was captured and interrogated by the famous Hanns Scharff.
12.
Duane Beeson returned to Boise in June 1945 and made every effort to get reassigned to the Pacific theatre, but the Pacific War soon ended.
13.
Duane Beeson was reassigned to Sarasota, Florida, where he met his future wife, Tracy Waters.
14.
Doctors diagnosed a brain tumor and Duane Beeson was flown to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, for an operation.
15.
For extraordinary heroism in action with the enemy, Captain Duane Beeson, while leading a flight of P-47 aircraft escorting bombers attacking Frankfurt, Germany, led his flight and his squadron down to engage enemy fighters harassing a formation of heavy bombers.
16.
In combat ranging from 15,000 feet to 200 feet, Captain Duane Beeson succeeded in destroying two of the enemy, and his heroism no doubt saved many fighters and bombers from damage and possible destruction.
17.
The unselfish bravery of Captain Duane Beeson reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.