Avenue of Heroes: Marshall U. Beebe

Written by Dan Lane

Born in 1913 in Anaheim, California, Marshall “Marsh” Beebe attended Occidental College, graduating in 1935 with degrees in mathematics and physics. A three-year letterman competing in football and basketball, he also served in the California National Guard during this time.

Completing Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola in 1937, Beebe was commissioned an ensign in the Naval Reserves in 1938. In 1941, he received his regular Navy commission and rapidly began ascending the ranks.

Beebe’s early duty stations included Hawaii, the Philippines, and Long Beach, California. He was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C., before assuming command of Composite Squadron (VC) 39. Based aboard the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay in the Pacific, the squadron supported the invasion of Tarawa. Surviving the sinking of Liscome, Beebe subsequently commanded V-17, a fighter squadron assigned to USS Hornet. Participating in the first Navy raids on Tokyo in early 1945, he is credited with downing 10 1/2 Japanese planes, five in a single day.

Beebe’s next combat assignment was as commander, Carrier Air Group 5 aboard USS Essex operating in Korean waters. While in command, he met distinguished author James Michener, then a war correspondent who subsequently wrote about Beebe’s Air Group in his famous book, “The Bridges at Toko-Ri.” Michener dedicated the book to Beebe who subsequently served as military advisor for the Oscar-winning movie.

After the Korean War, Beebe commanded USS Pyro and USS Bon Homme Richard and served in senior positions to include assistant director of Flight Test Division, Patuxent River; Naval attaché for Air, Caracas, Venezuela; and head of Airborne Weapon Systems branch of the deputy chief of naval operations. He retired in March 1963 with the rank of captain.

Beebe’s awards include the Navy Cross (second highest medal for valor), Legion of Merit with Combat V, Distinguished Flying Cross with three Gold Stars, Air Medal with ten Gold Stars, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, and Navy Unit Commendation as well as World War II Victory and Korean Service medals.

CAPT Beebe lived in Coronado in the early 1950s. He died in 1991 and is survived by his daughter, Kim Duncan.

The Hometown Heroes Banner program is a military service recognition program sponsored by the City of Coronado. Introduced in 2014, the program has honored 193 Hometown Heroes. On Nov. 6, 2016 another 13 were honored. The City funds all the costs for this program and volunteers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422, the Coronado Historical Association and the Third and Fourth Streets Neighborhood Association oversee its operation. The inspiration for the program came spontaneously with the movement of two Navy SEALs to their final resting place. News spread quickly in Coronado. The local Rotary Club passed out American flags. People lined Fourth Street to honor the fallen service members. As the procession approached the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, a lone Navy SEAL stood for hours at attention, saluting as he waited for the passage of his comrades. At that moment, it was clear that Third and Fourth streets were already an Avenue of Heroes. From that spontaneous beginning, the program was launched in May 2015 with 18 banners. Ceremonies are held twice yearly and heroes have been recognized from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is a reminder that Coronado has a rich history and legacy of service to country.