John "Jack" Francis Beasley

2021-03-21T10:50:31-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: John "Jack" Francis Beasley
  • Location of Birth: Calumet, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: September 23, 1926
  • Date of Death: February 1, 1982
  • Parents: George H. Beasley & Hiljah (Rantala) Beasley
  • High School and Class: 1944 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
  • College: Itasca Junior College, Coleraine, Minnesota - Class of 1948
  • Highest Rank:
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: 1944
  • Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Date of Discharge:
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Units and Locations:
    Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served
    February 1945 Farragut, ID
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: John Francis Beasley
    Race: White
    Age: 19
    Birth Date: September 23, 1926
    Birth Place: Calumet, Minnesota
    Residence Place: Taconite, Itasca, Minnesota
    Registration Date: (Re-enlisted) July 11, 1946
    Employer: Unemployed
    Weight: 155
    Height: 5-11
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Hazel
    Hair Color: Blonde
    Next of Kin: Mrs. George Beasley, mother, Taconite, Itasca, Minnesota

    Newspaper article: Oct 1945 – John Beasley S 1/c writes from Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill: “Dear Club, I haven’t much time now but I thought I’d get off a few lines anyway. First of all I want to thank you for the birthday greetings. It sure is nice to know that the people at home still think of us fellows. I also want to thank you for the monthly cards. They sure are nice and I have saved every one of them and see good old Taconite just as it is. I’m still going to school here but now that the war is over they are starting to clamp down and I would not say how long I will be here. I suppose in another month or so the old rink will be taking on a new coat of ice. I sure wish I could be there, but by the looks of things, I guess I’ll be lucky if I get there by this time next year. As you probably know, Bud Ryser is here with me and we get together pretty often and have a good chat about things back home. It sure is nice to have one of the gang around. Haven’t much I can tell you about Chicago as I haven’t been going out much lately. I can’t seem to get much done on the pay the Navy gives me, but I guess I’m not the only one who has that trouble. The weather here is starting to get pretty chilly. I guess this is about the time of the year when they start getting the shotguns all cleaned up and ready to knock over a few ducks. I haven’t much more to write now and besides if I write much more I’m going to get myself good and homesick so I guess I better quit. I want to thank you all again for the many nice things you have done and I’m looking forward to the day when I can thank you all personally. So long for now and best of luck till next time. Very sincerely, Jack Beasley”

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    John Beasley married Lila Lee in Bovey, Minnesota in 1950. He lived in Taconite, Minnesota most of his life and then moved to Parkville, Minnesota in 1975. He was employed as a transit man for the U.S. Steel Mining Co. He was a member of the Taconite American Legion Post. He owned and operated the Taconite Grocery Store.

    John Beasley died in Virginia, Minnesota and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, Minnesota (Block 141). He is survived by his wife, Lila; two daughters, Jane Beasley and Mrs. Phillip (Sally) Peterangelo; three sons, John Jr., George, and Jeff; his mother, Mrs. Hiljah Beasley; two sisters, Mrs. Albert (Helen) Santa and Mrs. Donald Carlson; one brother, Jay; and two grandchildren.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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