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WW2 and Korean War Chaplain Bronze Star Medal


kanemono
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Andrew H. Beahm was born in Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, on June 25th 1903. He was a 1924 graduate of Susquehanna University and 1927 graduate of the Susquehanna University Theological Seminary. He served as a Lutheran minister at churches in Hickesburg, Trevorton, Lock Haven and Spring Mills. Beahm entered active in the United States Army at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1942. He served at Fort Aberdeen, Maryland, Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and Fort Lewis, Washington. He was assigned to the 42nd Engineer Construction Battalion on April 20, 1942. The Battalion was sent to Camp Earle on Attu Island, Alaska. Attu Island was captured and fortified by 301st Independent Infantry Battalion of the Japanese Northern Army in 1942 and recaptured by the United States Army in 1943. On March 30, 1945 the 42nd Engineer Construction Battalion sailed from San Francisco, California, and Arrived in the Philippines on April 19, 1945, where it took part in the Luzon Campaign. Beahm was separated from active service at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1946. He was later recalled to duty and assigned to with the 7th Cavalry Regiment. Beahm received his Bronze Star Medal “For meritorious service in Korea, 5 April to 18 December, 1951.” The 7th Cavalry was involved in some of the worst fighting of the Korean War. Those battles include Hwanggan, Poksong-Dong, Kwanni, and the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter. The 7th Cavalry received three Presidential Unit Citations for its actions during the Korean War. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew H. Beahm continued serving as a Chaplain in the United States Army until he was relieved from active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on September 20, 1957. Andrew H. Beahm died on November 2, 1981. He is buried at Aaronsburg Lutheran Cemetery, Haines Township, Pennsylvania.

 

 

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The first photo is of Chaplain Beahm conducting worship services in a combat area in Korea on June 27, 1951. The photo is by D.E. Wilsterman. The second photo is of Chaplain Beahm receiving the Bronze Star Medal.

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aerialbridge

Dick, absolutely beautiful group, thank you for your presentation and telling about Chaplain Beahm. That cross is magnificent and also the small oval medal and round one from the Lutheran Church. I'm sure there's some symbolism to the intricate, intertwined objects in the cross, and curious what they represent. I might save that image and take to a Lutheran pastor that I know and see if he has any idea. The role of the chaplain and the importance of faith for the troops and sailors in past conflicts, like WW2 and Korea, while sadly diminished today, has also been largely forgotten in the increasingly secular world. I'm glad to see that you have this group.

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I forgot to include the Chinese bugle that Chaplain Beahm brought home from the war in Korea. It is numbered 7310 and has Chinese characters painted inside the bell. The mouthpiece is replaced.

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That's a great little group. I love the bugle. The sound of those haunted many Korean War vets after the war.

 

Kurt

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  • 4 years later...

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