Marshall U. Beebe

Beebe received a degree in mathematics and physics from Occidental College in 1935 and applied for navy flight training. He was designated a naval aviator in December 1937 and led two squadrons in World War II, being credited with 10.5 Japanese planes shot down. In the Korean War he commanded Air Group 5 aboard USS Essex in 1951-52, where he met novelist James Michener who wrote "The Bridges at Toko-Ri". Subsequently Beebe was naval attaché' to Venezuela and, promoted to captain, he commanded two ships including the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. He retired in 1963.