ENS JOHN T. BEAHAN, USN

Class 1945

Born June 10, 1921

Died July 10, 1945

Age 24

Hometown Michigan City, Indiana

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1945 Lucky Bag:

John Thomas Beahan

Varsity Track 4, 3, 1, N '45; Battalion Football 3, 1, '45; Company Touchfootball 3, 1, '45; Sound Gang, Director 1.

Sure’n begorra! If it’s not that Indiana Irishman, with that “darn proud of it” light in those smilin’ Irish eyes of his: Jack “Beezie” Beahan! Beezie’s interpretation of “wine, women, and song” was “women, women, and women”! Proof? His locker—door and shelves! Scads and scads of gorgeous pictures debs from Chicago, heiresses from New York, and belles of Baltimore—it made no difference to Beezie! He took ’em as they came; and, believe me, they really came! But he didn’t think about girls all the while. Varsity track, intramural sports, the sound gang, and satisfying his sweet tooth occupied the rest of his brain and brawn.

The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

John was lost on July 10, 1945 when he was killed while inspecting a .50 caliber gun on the deck of USS Blueback (SS 326). It accidentally fired two rounds, hitting him in the chest; the boat was in the Java Sea.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Jack graduated from Elston High School in 1939 and was a member of the yearbook staff serving on the business staff. He was one of eight students selected to attend Rotary Club. He was a member of the Honor Society and participated in football and track.

“Another man to qualify for the state championships in thirty-eight was Jack Beahan, co-captain of that year. Jack worked for two years and received his reward by running second to the potential state champion from South Bend Riley. Down state he led the qualifying field to the ninth hurdle and then dropped to third, thereby being eliminated from the finals. Jack also participated in the hundred yard dash and the broad jump, and was anchor man on the half-mile relay team in the thirty-nine season.”

In April 1939, John recorded a new record time of 23.7 for the 200-yard low hurdles course at Foreman field and quadrangular meet. He also participated in the broad jump.

In May 1939, John was an alternate for a scholarship to Purdue University from his county of La Porte. The award covered fees of $30 a semester for one year.

His father was Raymond, in real estate sales; mother May, brothers Raymond and William; sisters Elizabeth and Marguat.

John is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook

Donald Hall ‘45, Charles McBride ‘45, John Lusby ‘45, and Joseph Bolger, Jr. ‘45 were also in 14th Company.

Class of 1945

John is one of 58 members of the Class of 1945 on Virtual Memorial Hall.