Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

EDMUND EUGENE BEVAN

Swing it Jackson—Here’s “Uncle Bee.” He’s a New Jersey “Alligator” who has put Frank Bailey’s Meadowbrook to shame. Swing sessions under his instruction were just an everyday pastime. As a result, the maestro and his pupils have worn more than a few inches off the deck of good old Dahlgren Hall. To keep in condition for a rendezvous with the sword at hops, “Uncle Bee” performed on the wrestling mat, and his jive movements made him a stellar participant in this manly art. On the surface Gene might appear to be quite a “College Joe,” but despite his love of jive and checkered coats, he will make a 4.0 Naval officer.

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Edmund was graduated with his class but honorably discharged in lieu of being commissioned on the same day (June 19, 1942). He had begun with the class of 1942 but was rolled back to ‘43 in March 1940.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

From The Bakersfield Californian on September 18, 1943:

Minter Field Cadet Is Killed in Crash
Minter Field’s highest ranking cadet. Edmund E. Bevan, 22, of Trenton. N. J., was killed instantly last night at 10 o’clock when his plane crashed and burst into flames 30 miles east of Poso field. Coroner N. C. Uouze reported today. The young cadet was wing commander and an outstanding member of his squadron. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Bevan of Trenton. The body is pending the at Greenlawn Chapel coroner’s inquest.

He was piloting a BT-13A training aircraft.

Other Information

From The Bakersfield Californian on September 29, 1943:

The award for the best military appearance and bearing was given posthumously to Aviation Cadet Edmund E. Bevan of Trenton, N. J., who lost his life in a training accident. Cadet Bevan held the rank of aviation cadet colonel and was wing commander. Aviation Cadet George F. Burroughs of Philadelphia received the award on behalf of Cadet Bevan and it was sent to his family.

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book “25 years later…”:

Gene was born in Nebraska. After graduation, he was honorably discharged on 19 June 1942 as a Midshipman and entered the U.S. Army Flight Training Program. During Gene’s flight training he lost his life in an aircraft accident near Bakersfield, California.

From the March 1944 issue of Shipmate: “EDMUND EUGENE BEVAN, ‘43, Air Cadet. Death resulted in an airplane accident during his Army Air Corps training at Minter’s Field, Bakersfield, Calif. "

Edmund had joined the Army on December 30, 1942.

Edmun has a memory marker in New Jersey.

Memorial Hall Error

Edmund is not listed with his classmates. He was identified through the diligent efforts of Leslie Poche, a volunteer who combed through Shipmate issues to find operational losses not accounted for in Memorial Hall. One of those mentions is the March 1944 issue.