MEN IN SERVICE.
Norman A. Bennett, 23, a son of Dr. and Mrs. A.W. Bennett, 2729 S. Coral Street, is one of five Sioux City young men who has arrived at the University of Missouri in Columbia for a course of army air force instruction prior to appointment as an aviation cadet. Others taking work there include Fred David Johnson, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson, 622 W. Fifth Street, Francis G. Beedle, 22, son of Hulda L. Beedle, apartment 29 in the Park Theater building, Daniel J. Haas, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Haas, 1112 Oak Street, and Douglas C. Griggs, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Truman M. Griggs, 2657 S. Palmetto Street.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, (issue date between 20 Jan 1944--16 Apr 1944)
Sioux Cityan in Bomber Fighting Nazi Jet Planes
Lt. Francis G. Beedle, 23, son of Mrs. Hulda L. Beedle, Esquire theater building, Sioux City, was a copilot and flying in a lead bomber of a bombardment group when German jet propelled planes attacked his squadron during an Eighth air force attack on Berlin’s railroad yards.
The Sioux Cityan had changed from his usual position in the cockpit to the rear of his plane to serve as formation officer, coordinating the fire of his group’s gummers, when he spotted the jet planes coming in to attack.
Lt. Beedle said that the ME-262s, bunched together, gliding in a terrific speed to attack, hit the Forts flying low in his formation.
“But our gunners,” he said, “were on the job and they claim to have shot down several.” The Forts continued to press home their bombing assault on their target.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 3, 1945
Francis George Beedle was born Jan. 8, 1921 to George G. and Hulda Diels Beedle. He died Apr. 3, 1945 and is buried in Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint Avold, France.
2nd Lt. Beedle served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, Heavy and was MIA after he railed to return after a bombardment mission to Kiel Germany. He was later declared KIA and was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
