Posted by Charles Peace Captain Beach's credentials of greatness further include his high-level service to President Eisenhower and his becoming a best-selling author at a fairly young age. I know of no other person who has promoted the Navy through writings,speeches and television to the extent that this fine gentleman has done, without mentioning the incalculable service he has provided our country. Knowing this, it is such a sad injustice that he was denied flag rank by an incompetent and vindictive admiral that held the strings to his career. However, having a building named after him at the Naval Academy was very fitting, and I believe Tom Clancy's suggestion that the Navy name a ship after him is a great idea. Captain Beach has made his mark in history for the above and many more accomplishments, but I will also remember him and honor him for the man I knew forty-two years ago who served me and the rest of the Triton crew so well. Interestingly, he was forty-two years old then. I can still see him standing in the door of the sonar compartment telling those of us on watch interesting stories of history. I can date my love of history to that time as he so skillfully whetted my appetite for the subject. Another time I got into a fight in Newport, Rhode Island in which my lip was busted open and my head had huge bumps all over it. Another crew member helped me back to the ship where Dr. Stark sewed up my lip. The next day the ship went to sea to practice firing torpedos at a target. Since Dr. Stark sent me over to the Naval Hospital for X-rays, I missed the day's operation. When the ship came in that afternoon I dreaded to face my officers, especially Captain Beach since I felt I had let him down. However, after a well-deserved chewing out by all of my superiors I was finally "talked to" by the Captain. I was shaking in my shoes, but after a stern lecture, he didn't berate me further, but made me feel I was an important part of the crew and to put this incident behind me and not let it affect my performance of duty. In conclusion he told that he was confident I wouldn't let myself get into such a mess again-and I didn't. Again, when I received a direct commission in the Navy as a public affairs officer, he was very helpful in helping me get the commission. And, later, when I was serving a two-week tour of duty at the pentagon, he invited me to his office (he was at that time Secretary to the senate Republicans). We talked for a considerable time and he gave me a signed copy of his latest book, THE WRECK OF THE MEMPHIS. I haved talked to him several times on the phone over the years and always came away feeling a sense of his greatness. Thank you, Captain Beach, for all that you have meant to me. I shall always cherish the brief time that I served with you and memories of that service. And as an American, I thank you for your great service to our country. Respectfully and sadly submitted,
on 12/8/2002, 5:33 pm
66.119.34.39
Shortly after returning home from the Triton reunion, I bought a card to send to Capt. beach-not a card that focused on his illness, but one that would express my deep gratitude to him for the helpful influence he has had on my life. His leadership was such that even the youngest and most inexperienced men under his command could feel comfortable in his presence, yet would know that he was in the company of a great, gallant and honorable man-a man tested in the hot crucible of World War II on many daring war patrols deep in enemy waters during which his bravery earned him the Navy Cross.
Charles Peace
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