- Name: Leslie Robert Beach
- Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: September 20, 1949
- Date of Death: July 4, 1999 (49 years old)
- Parents: Robert and Angeline Beach
- High School and Class: 1967 - Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
- College: 1970 - Associates of Arts - Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
1976 - Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration from Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota - Highest Rank: SGT (Sergeant) E-5
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: January 21, 1970
- Place Sworn In: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge: November 22, 1971
- Place of Discharge: Fort Riley, Kansas
-
Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served Camp Carroll Army Base, South Korea (Rock Pile) Quang Tri, Vietnam Charlie 2 - Military Awards:
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal with '60 Device
Bronze Star Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Overseas Bars (2)
Marksman (M-16)
1 Class (M-60)
- Military Highlights:
Information from article in Grand Rapids Herald Review:
"Grand Rapids solider assists Vietnamese"
"When the order came down to move out, Specialist Four Leslie R. Beach, 21, was ready.
His unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry, had been called upon to meet and assist the safe and orderly withdrawal of Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (RVNAF) units from Laos in the recently completed Laotian incursion phase of the Iam Son 719 operation. The five-week long operation was designed to disrupt enemy supply routes on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and destroy enemy supplies.
Beach, an infantryman, and his unit were deployed from Fire Base Vandergrift near the Demilitarized Zone to Lang Vei, just east of the Laotian border. His battalion is attached to the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, the only unit of M-48 tanks serving in the Republic of Vietnam."
(No date on copy of article that was submitted with Itasca County Veteran's History.) - Wars Involved:
Vietnam Era - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Article from Lake Country Power's "Newsline", dated April, 2000:
"Almost a year ago, family and friends of Mr. Les Beach suffered the passing of their son, brother, and friend. During the July 4, 1999, storm cleanup in Lake County Power's service territory, Les had offered his assistance in the Hill City area. It was in this area where he was regrettably killed while working in the field.
Since his death, the Beach family, Lake Country Power and it's Board of Directors have created a $ 1,000 scholarship in his honor. Les had been a twenty-three year employee of Lake County Power. During that time he made a mark with all who knew him, including his co-workers at Lake Country Power and the Grand Rapids area community. He was generous, kind-hearted, outgoing and considered an excellent employee at Lake County Power.
He was active in his church, a mentor to local youth, a frequent volunteer to charitable causes and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a graduate of Greenway High School, Itasca Community College and Bemidji State University. Les always stressed and promoted the importance of higher education and how important a degree is for young people starting out in today's workforce. The Les Beach Scholarship is dedicated to his memory.
To qualify for the Les Beach Scholarship, applicants must meet the requirements noted below:
Son or daughter of Lake Country Power member or employee and be a high school senior.
Top 50 percent of student body according to class rank.
Must be a full-time student pursuing a degree in a business or engineering related field at an accredited university or vocational school.
Must present typed summary (in narrative fashion that includes achievements/participation in academic, community, civic or athletic endeavors.
Must submit an application available from Lake Country Power.
Must submit three (3) letters of recommendation."
Leslie had worked for Dairyland Electric Cooperative (Lake States Power), Grand Rapids, Minnesota since 1982 as a senior staking technician. He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
He is survived by his mother, Angeline; and two sisters JoAn Beach and Dolores Bretti.
Buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot C-A-17-0-2) - Tribal Affiliation(s):