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Edward L. Beach Jr.

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Edward Latimer Beach, Jr.
Edward L. Beach, Jr. (1960)
Nickname(s)Ned
AllegianceUnited States Navy
Years of service1939-1966
RankCaptain
CommandsUSS Piper (SS-409)
USS Amberjack (SS-522)
USS Trigger (SS-564]
USS Williamsburg (AGC-369)
USS Salamonie (AO-26)
USS Triton (SSRN-586)
Submarine Squadron Eight
Battles / warsNeutrality Patrol
World War II
Battle of Midway
Cold War
AwardsNavy Cross
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star (2)
Magellanic Premium (1961)
Other workAuthor, Historian

Edward Latimer Beach, Jr. (April 20, 1918 - December 1, 2002) was a highly-decorated, legendary United States Navy submarine officer and best-selling author.[1]

During World War II, he participated in the Battle of Midway and 12 combat patrols, earning 10 decorations for gallantry, including the Navy Cross. After the war, he served as the naval aide to the President of the United States and commanded the first submerged circumnavigation.

Beach's best-selling novel, Run Silent, Run Deep, was made into the 1958 film by the same name.

Biography

The son of Captain Edward L. Beach, Sr. and Alice Fouché Beach, Edward Latimer Beach, Jr., was born in New York, New York and raised in Palo Alto, California.

Beach was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1935 by Senator Hiram Johnson of California. He served as regimental commander in his first year class. Beach was named the midshipman who had done the most to and promote naval spirit and loyalty in his regiment when he graduated second out of 576 in his class in 1939. [2] [3]

Neutrality Patrol, 1939 - 1941

Beach was initially assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) before joining the newly recommissioned destroyer USS Lea (DD-118), which participated in the neutrality patrol, the initial occupaton of Iceland, and convoy duty in the North Atlantic. [4] [5]

Beach was detached from the Lea in September 1941 to undergo acelerated training at the Submarine Training School at the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut. He completed training, graduating first in his class, in December 1941 shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. [6] [7]

Second World War, 1941 - 1945

Beach served aboard the USS Trigger (SS-237) and USS Tirante (SS-420), and the USS Piper (SS-409) during the Pacific War.

He participated in the Battle of Midway and 12 combat patrols that damaged or sank 45 enemy vessels.[8] He held several shipboard positions, including communications officer, engineering officer, navigator, co-approch officer, and executive officer a well as commanding officer of the Piper at the close of hostilities. Beach earned 10 decorations for gallantry, including the Navy Cross.

Cold War, 1945 - 1966

In December 1945, Beach reported to the Department of the Navy to served as the personal aide to Vice Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, the chief of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In March 1947, he was attached to the Atomic Defense Section (OPNAV 36) under Rear Admiral William S. Parsons. [9] [10]

In May 1948, he was given command of USS Amberjack (SS-522), a GUPPY II modified submarine. The Amberjack gained the nickname "Anglejack" because of its pioneering use of steep diving and surfacing angles, which was immortalized in the January 1950 edition of the National Geographic magazine.[11] [12]

His tour as skipper of Amberjack was abbreviated as he was called to Washington to serve as Naval Aide to General Omar Bradley, USA, the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in August 1951. As Bradley's aide, Beach was a first-hand witness to the events surrounding the Revolt of the Admirals.[13] [14]

Upon completing his tour of duty as Bradley's aide in March 1951, Beach was named prospective commanding officer of USS Trigger II (SS-564), then under construction. Upon commissioning of Trigger II, which was name for USS Trigger (SS-237) lost during World War II, Beach became commanding officer of the first submarine to be completed in a new class.

From 1953 to 1957, he was Naval Aide to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. While on the President's staff, Beach was responsible for planning the evacuation of the President in the event of a national emergency and for the management of Camp David and the White House Mess. Beach briefly commanded presidenial yacht Williamsburg prior to its decommissioning in 1953.[15] It was Beach who spearhead the effort to get First Lady Mamie Eisenhower to chrsten the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, in 1954.[16] Beach was advanced to the rank of captain on October 1, 1956. [17]

Upon leaving the White House in January 1957, Beach assumed command of USS Salamonie (AO-26), a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler assigned to the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterreanan, completing a deployment in December 1957.

File:021201-N-0000B-003.jpg
In the Wake of Magellan: Tracing the first undersea circumnavigation (1960)

In January 1958, he attended the Navy's training program for atomic reactors in order to quality for his next command, USS Triton (SSRN-586), the nation's fourth nuclear powered submarine.

In November 1959, Beach took command of the USS Triton, the first and only American nuclear-powered submarine to be equipped with two nuclear reactors. Departing New London on what was supposed to have been a "shake-down" cruise in February 1960, Triton began a 1960 circumnavigation of the earth in 84 days without surfacing, an unprecedented feat. The route of Triton followed roughly that of Ferdinand Magellan in 1519-1522. The scientific and military significance of the Triton voyage was overshadowed by the U-2 Incident which broke just as Triton was returning. Beach wrote about the Triton's voyage in his book Around the World Submerged: The Voyage of the Triton, published in 1962.

After his tour in command of Triton, Beach assumed command of Submarine Squadron Eight from July 1961 to August 1962.

Beach then was sent by the Navy to the National War College, where he completed a course of study in July 1963, and at the same time earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from George Washington University.

From July 1963 to December 1966, Beach served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations preparing annual budget reports for Congress and prepping the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations for hearings before Congressional committees.

Having been commissioned an Ensign in 1939, Beach rose to the rank of Captain, retiring from active duty after 27 years on active duty in 1966.

Awards and Decorations

During his service in the United States Navy, Beach was awarded: the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, the Gold Star Medal in lieu of a second Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with a combat Distinguised "V", a second Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal with a combat Distinguised "V," two letters of commendation with ribbon, star and "V" from the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, a Navy Unit Citation, two Presidential Unit Citations, Legion of Merit, American Defense Service Medal, Atlantic Fleet Clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three engagement stars, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Navy Cross

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 345 (December 1945):

Citation
The Navy Cross is presented to Edward Latimer Beach, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Executive Officer, Navigator and Assistant Approach Officer on board the U.S.S. TIRANTE (SS-420) on the First War Patrol of that submarine during the period 3 March 1945 to 25 April 1945, in enemy controlled waters of the East china Sea. Lieutenant Commander Beach rendered valiant service to his commanding officer in penetrating mined and shoal-obstructed shallow waters in defiance of hostile shore-based radar stations and aircraft. By his excellent judgment and keen understanding of attack problems, he aided immeasurably in sending torpedoes into targets with deadly accuracy and contributed to the sinking of three Japanese cargo ships, one large transport, a hostile tanker, three patrol frigates, and one lugger, totaling 28,000 tons of shipping vital to the enemy's ability to prosecute the war. Through his experience and sound judgment he assisted in bringing his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [18]

Beach retired from active duty in the Navy in 1966, and was appointed as the Stephen B. Luce Chair of Naval Science at the Naval War College — the first person to hold that position. He was editor of the Naval War College Review during his tenure at the Naval post-graduate school.

Subsequently Beach served for seven years as staff director of the United States Senate Republican Policy Committee. Later he served a year as chief of staff for Senator Jeremiah Denton (R-Alabama).

Author

From the end of World War II on, Beach wrote extenisvely in his spare time following the in footsteps of his father, who was also a career naval officer and author. In all, Beach published thirteen books, but is best known for his first novel, Run Silent, Run Deep (1955). A movie of the same name and based on the novel, starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster, was released by United Artists in 1958. The film version of his novel was not particularly an object of affection for Beach. He would later say that Hollywood only bought the title (it was on The New York Times Book Review list for several months) and wasn't interested in producing an accurate depiction of the theme and plot of his novel. He penned two sequels to Run Silent, Run Deep -- Dust on the Sea (1972) and Cold is the Sea (1978).

Beach also wrote numerous books on naval history, including Submarine! (1952), The Wreck of the Memphis (1966), Keepers of the Sea (1983) with Fred J. Maroon, United States Navy: 200 Years (1986) a general history of the Navy, Scapegoats: A Defense of Kimmel and Short at Pearl Harbor (1995), and Salt and Steel: Reflections of a Submariner (1999). For a number of years he was co-editor of Naval Terms Dictionary as that standard reference work passed through several editions. His last work, published after his death, was the editing of his father's autobiography From Annapolis to Scapa Flow: The Autobiography of Edward L. Beach, Sr (2003).

In addition to his books, Beach was a prolific author of articles and book reviews for periodicals ranging from Blue Book Magazine to National Geographic, and Naval History to American Heritage.

Bibliography

Fiction:

  • Run Silent, Run Deep (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1955)
  • Dust on the Sea (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972)
  • Cold is the Sea (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1978)

Memoirs:

  • From Annapolis to Scapa Flow: The Autobiography of Edward L. Beach Sr. (Annapolis Maryland: Naval Institute Pres, 2002)
  • Salt and Steel: Reflections of a Submariner (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1999)

Non-Fiction:

  • Around the World Submerged: The Voyage of the Triton (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1962)
  • Keepers of the Sea (photos by Fred J. Maroon) (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1983)
  • Naval Terms Dictionary, in collaboration with John V. Noel, Jr, 4th edition (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1971)
  • Naval Terms Dictionary, in collaboration with John V. Noel, Jr, 5th edition (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1978)
  • Naval Terms Dictionary, in collaboration with John V. Noel, Jr, 6th edition (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1971)
  • Scapegoat: A Defense of Kimmel and Short at Pearl Harbor (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1995)
  • Submarine! (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1952)
  • The United States Navy: 200 Years (New York, New York: Henry Holt, 1986)
  • The Wreck of the Memphis {New York, New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Wiston, 1966)

Run Silent, Run Deep and The Wreck of the Memphis were re-published in hardcover by the Naval Institute Press as part of its Classics of Naval Literature series while Around the World Submerged, Submarine!, Dust on the Sea, and Cold is the Sea were repinted in quality paperback editions as part of its Bluejacket Books series

Family

Beach married Ingrid Schneck in Palo Alto in 1944. They had four children: Inga-Marie (1945-1948), Edward A. (b. 1948), Hugh S. (b. 1949) and Ingrid Alice (b. 1952).

Honors

File:Web 021201-N-0000B-001.jpg
Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr., USN (ret.) at Beach Hall (1999)

Notes

  1. ^ "Eye on the Fleet Photo Gallery: Capt. Edward L. "Ned" Beach, Jr". Navy NewsStand. December 1, 2002. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  3. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 36
  4. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  5. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 38 - 58
  6. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  7. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 59
  8. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  9. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 22
  10. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 168 - 185
  11. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 22
  12. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 196
  13. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  14. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 201 - 219 (see photo section)
  15. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 22 - 229
  16. ^ Beach, Salt and Steel, p. 229 -237
  17. ^ Current Biography (1960), p. 22
  18. ^ [1] Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross @ HomeOfHeroes.com
  19. ^ "Edward L Beach" Current Biography (1960), p. 21
  20. ^ [2] The Magellanic Premium of the American Philosophical Society
  21. ^ [3] Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Prize in Naval History 1987, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
  22. ^ [4] Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Prize in Naval History 1987, Theodore Roosevelt Association
  23. ^ [5] Reprint of Seapower magazine, published by the Navy League of the United States
  24. ^ [6] 2002 Annual Report of the Naval Historical Foundation, p. 10.

References

  • Edward L. Beach, Jr. Around the World Submerged: The Voyage of the Triton (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1962) LCC: 62-18406 (Papberback, ISBN: 1557502153)
  • Edward L. Beach, Jr. Submarine! (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1952) paperback, ISBN: 1-59114-058-7
  • Edward L. Beach, Jr. Salt and Steel: Reflections of a Submariner (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1999) ISBN: 1-55750-054-1
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