A Tribute to Slim

Warren Beamish was a native of Michigan, but he lived most of his life in Chadron, Nebraska, where few folks knew about his extraordinary war record. Although our families were friends for many years, it was only recently that I discovered that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism during the invasion of Sicily.
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  • Staff Sergeant Warren Beamish, U. S. Army

    Staff Sergeant Warren Beamish, U. S. Army

    Anticipating that he'd probably be drafted anyway, Warren Beamish enlisted in the Army in 1942. He became a member of the 40th Engineers and saw action in Africa, Sicily and Italy.

  • From a book about the 40th Engineers...

    From a book about the 40th Engineers...

    "On Cent beaches, two officers and two enlisted men, 1st Lt. Keith E. Miller, 2d Lt. George S. Spohn, T/5 Robert L. Beall, and Sgt. Warren W. Beamish of the 40th Engineers won Distinguished Service Crosses for their part in taking pillboxes that had the beach under fire."

  • The Distinguished Service Cross

    The Distinguished Service Cross

    Awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

  • View across the southern Sicilian beaches

    View across the southern Sicilian beaches

    This photo was taken from near a pill box, probably not unlike those manned by enemy combatants taken prisoner by Sergeant Beamish and Lieutenant Spohn.

  • July 1943

    July 1943

    Armored forces during the invasion of Sicily.

  • It has horsepower – but it ain't a horse!

    It has horsepower – but it ain't a horse!

    No location is listed, but this is believed to be Sergeant Warren Beamish atop a military motorcycle -- a far cry from riding horses back in Nebraska.

  • The awardees

    The awardees

    This photograph of Staff Sergeant Beamish and Lieutenant Spohn appears to have been taken in an urban area -- perhaps at a building in Siciliy used as military headquarters. Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

  • 11 July 1943

    11 July 1943

    The USS Boise crosses the bow of LST 325 off the coast of Sicily. This photo was taken during one of the major European actions of World War II.

  • Another photograph taken during the invasion of Sicily.

    Another photograph taken during the invasion of Sicily.

  • Sicily

    Sicily

    A map showing the landing sites of Allied Forces. Sicily was a major launching point for the invasion of Italy and the "belly" of Axis-held Europe.

  • Sergeant Beamish and Lieutenant Spohn

    Sergeant Beamish and Lieutenant Spohn

    With the Distinguished Service Crosses on their chests, Staff Sergeant Beamish (left) and 2d Lt. George S. Spohn stand at attention. Probably taken shortly after the award was made in 1944.

  • Wearing his new stripes.

    Wearing his new stripes.

    In front of what appears to be a cemetery or park, this is Staff Sergeant Warren Beamish.

  • After the war...and years later...

    After the war...and years later...

    Working with horses and cattle brought joy to "Slim" Beamish. This photo was taken later in his life. "This is what he enjoyed doing most," said Gladys Beamish many years after Warren was gone.

  • A bit of tomfoolery...

    A bit of tomfoolery...

    Good friends for many years. Lettie Miller (left) and Gladys Beamish (right) were nearly life-long friends -- and they often would don costumes ranging from gorillas to cowgirls. This photo was probably taken in about 1950; that's young Bill Beamish trying to figure out what those two ladies are up to!

  • Warren and Gladys (Warren) Beamish

    Warren and Gladys (Warren) Beamish

    Photo taken on their 40th wedding anniversary in 1982.

  • Gladys Beamish with Warren's Distinguished Service Cross

    Gladys Beamish with Warren's Distinguished Service Cross

    The DSC was awarded to her late husband for his "complete disregard for personal safety, his coolness and courage under fire..." during the invasion of Sicily in World War II. After Warren went overseas, Gladys moved to Portland, Oregon to be near her parents. She took a job as a pipefitter at the shipyards and saw the launching of the troop ship that would later be the vessel to bring her husband home from the war.

  • My Final Farewell

    My Final Farewell

    The following poem was compiled by Gladys Beamish for Warren to express his final good-bye to all his family and friends. MY FINAL FAREWELL The Time has come for me to say good-bye to all my friends. Though our future trails will be miles apart Our friendships will never end. This gathering will be my last For God has called me to join Him In a branding in the sky So don't you shed any tears or cry. You all have meant so much to me And in my life, you always were a part Each one has got a special place Deep here within my heart. Good-bye to you and this land For you see, I'm Heaven bound. I'll find another pony and together We will tread on softer ground. And though I'll never ride this land again I'll be up where the eagle screams. And someday I'll ride forever with each of you Through the lands of all our dreams.

  • Warren W. Beamish (1918-1998)

    Warren W. Beamish (1918-1998)

    Warren Beamish is buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Chadron, Nebraska. Return to Tribute to Slim. Return to Dawes County Journal.

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