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SAM F BEACH JR
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HONORED ON PANEL 34E, LINE 61 OF THE WALL

SAM FESTIS BEACH JR

WALL NAME

SAM F BEACH JR

PANEL / LINE

34E/61

DATE OF BIRTH

07/04/1941

CASUALTY PROVINCE

QUANG TRI

DATE OF CASUALTY

01/17/1968

HOME OF RECORD

GLENDALE

COUNTY OF RECORD

Maricopa County

STATE

AZ

BRANCH OF SERVICE

AIR FORCE

RANK

CAPT

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LEFT FOR SAM FESTIS BEACH JR
POSTED ON 5.7.2025

Final Mission of Capt Sam F. Beach Jr.

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In 1967, the Cessna O-2A Skymaster was introduced as a replacement for the O-1 Bird Dog in the role of forward air control. The O-2A was a modified civilian Cessna 337 with an engine at each end of the fuselage. It carried more ordnance than the O-1, had more power, and was capable of longer loiter times. On January 17, 1968, a U.S. Air Force O-2A (#67-21327) from the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, took off from Khe Sanh Combat Base in Quang Tri Province, RVN. After liftoff, it was almost immediately hit by hostile groundfire, the Skymaster crashing just southeast of the runway. Third Marine Infantry Division personnel from B Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines attempted to rescue the crew but were driven back by a post-crash fire and the live ordnance carried on the aircraft. Pilot Capt Sam F. Beach Jr. and Army observer SFC Donald L. Chaney from the 5th Special Forces Group were lost in the incident. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org, pleikuab.com, and “3rd Marine Division Journals For The Month January 1968” at ttu.edu]
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POSTED ON 4.24.2023
POSTED BY: Marlon Medina

Sam and my parents

Sam was a squadron mate of my father, Maj. Ramon Medina. Sadly, Sam was killed on my mother's birthday in 1968.
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POSTED ON 4.24.2023
POSTED BY: Marlon Medina

Thank you, Sam

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Sam and his wife, Shelby, were one of the young couples in the same F-102 82nd FIS at Travis AFB, then later at Naha AB.
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POSTED ON 5.11.2021
POSTED BY: john fabris

do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....
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POSTED ON 1.17.2019
POSTED BY: John Braun

In Honor

CPT Sam Beach, You are remembered. Pilot of O-2A 67-21327 on that ill-fated mission.
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