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<em>CLARENCE EARLE BECK </em>was born in Atmore, AL, the son of William Caleb Beck and Clara Jordan Beck. He graduated from Escambia County High School, Atmore, AL, in 1933. He enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 2d Coast Artillery at Ft. Monroe, VA, until he was appointed to the Academy in 1934. He was commissioned into the Infantry upon graduation.</p>
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After a normal pattern of troop duty assignments, he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in 1939. He became S-3 of the 26th Infantry Regiment in January 1942. While in the 1st Infantry Division, he commanded the “millionaires” battalion, including Jay Whitney and Winthrop Rockefeller, shortly before going to Europe and serving with the 1st Division in WWII. He was on Eisenhower’s planning staff for D-Day.</p>
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It was in England that he met his wife Patricia, who was working for military intelligence. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, participating in the liberation of France with the 1st Division. He served as Division Operations Officer in combat from Omaha Beach, to the Siegfried Line, to the final German surrender in Czechoslovakia. He helped secure the city of Nuremberg, Germany, and was the military mayor there during the War Trials.</p>
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During the period of his service with the 1st Infantry Division, he held every officer rank from second lieutenant to colonel, commanding the 26th Infantry Regiment. His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and V device, and the Criox de Guerre with gold star and palm.</p>
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BG Beck attended the Harvard graduate school, earning an MBA in 1947. In 1949, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College. His next assignment was as an instructor and U.S. Army Liaison Officer with the British Staff College until he returned to attend the Army War College in August 1953. He then remained with the War College as an instructor until 1957.</p>
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Fromjune 1957 to August 1959, BG Beck served as Army Attache to Pakistan, where he formed a warm friendship with the future president of the country, Mohammed Ayub Khan. BG Beck was reassigned to the 82d Airborne Division upon his return from overseas, serving successively as Support Group Commander; Commander of the 2d Airborne Battle Group, 504th Infantry; and Chief of Staff of the division.</p>
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He assumed duties as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, HQ, Fourth Army, in July 1961. He served in this capacity until transferred overseas to assume duties as the 8 th Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander and Brigade Commander in February 1962.</p>
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He was then promoted to brigadier general, serving in Germany and as Head of Plans and Operations for NATO in Naples, Italy. He received congressional honors for negotiating a peace settlement in the Turkey/Cypress war.</p>
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During the Vietnam War, he was Comptroller for the Pacific at Ft. Shafter, a position requiring time in combat.</p>
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After retiring, he was director of the Honolulu Downtown Improvement Association for ten years before moving to Kauai and becoming a realtor. Active with the American Cancer Society and the Kauai Rotary, he also was on the board of the Ko’Kee Museum for many years.</p>
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For all his accomplishments, he never forgot the true values of his country roots. A simple and honorable man, he was most proud of his marriage to his beloved wife Pat. He was an extraordinary example of the West Point Motto: ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ and an inspiring leader for the men he served with as well as for his family and community.</p>
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He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered. In the military life, he frequently had to go ahead of Patricia to take up the new assignment and get things ready for her and the family, in military language: “non-concurrent travel.” Once again, he has moved on, ahead of us all. Always a leader.</p>
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In addition to his wife Patricia, he is survived by his four children: Judy Lynne, Virginia Anne, Kandy Lee, and David Caleb.</p>
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“There were giants in those days,” and we stand on the shoulders of those giants.<br />
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