William D. Beekman

By zthanson, 15 December, 2022
First Name
William
Middle Name
D.
Last Name
Beekman
Birthdate
Hometown
Toledo, Ohio
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Bill Beekman entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1964, and graduated with a commission in the U.S. Air Force on June 5, 1968. Lieutenant Beekman next completed Undergraduate Navigator Training and was awarded his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in August 1969, followed by F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training from August 1969 to April 1970. His first assignment was as an F-4 Weapons System Operator (WSO) with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida, from April 1970 to December 1971, followed by service as an F-4 WSO with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron at DaNang AB, South Vietnam, from December 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 24, 1972.

Post Release Image
Two men and a woman looking at work in a laboratory.
Post Release Description

Captain Beekman was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, and then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training, earning his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, in February 1975. Captain Beekman then served as a C-9 Nightingale pilot with the 11th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron of the 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, Illinois, from February 1975 to May 1978, followed by an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his master's degree from June 1978 to January 1980. Major Beekman next served as a section chief in the Laser Engineering and Application for Prototype Systems Division with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, from January 1980 to December 1982, and then as a CT-39 Sabreliner and C-21 pilot and detachment Operations Officer with Detachment 2, 1401st Military Airlift Squadron of the 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, from December 1982 to July 1985. Colonel Beekman's final assignment was as Chief of the Nuclear Branch, Military Deputy for Acquisition in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in the Pentagon from July 1985 until his retirement from the Air Force on December 6, 1987.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release