My Dad, Cpl. William M. Beatty USMC(1942-1945), received the Purple Heart for wounds received on Iwo Jima, March 7, 1945. After the war he returned home, got married, and had 4 kids. I was the oldest with 3 younger sisters. He died of a heart attack after dinner Feb 13, 1953 age 33. I was 4 and my youngest sister 2 months old. He had a military funeral complete with 21 gun salute and is buried in the military section of Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. I joined the Corps in 1967 and served in Vietnam and my son also served 4 years from 1987. 3 generations of Marines.
While growing up my Dad’s coffin flag was kept in my closet and never unfolded. We made regular trips to his grave most of my childhood. Mom always said to leave it as it was. She never remarried and passed away while I was in Vietnam. Upon my return I found the flag mounted upside down on my hippy sister’s living room wall. Needless to say we didn’t get along back then and that was the last time I saw it. June 1, 1970. Since that time all three of my sisters have passed away and I’ve looked for that flag in their belongings each time, never finding it.
Today I got a call from a friend of my middle sisters whose brother was an old boyfriend. He had also passed away and she was going through his belongings. Turns out he had the flag all these years. (41 to be exact). I’ve got it now and will display it appropriately with my other military memorabilia. Amazing how things eventually work out for the best. I will be sure it’s passed on among our family.
Respectfully and thankfully,
Cpl. William T. Beatty, USMC (1967-1970)
Cpl. William J. Beatty, USMC (1987-1991)
Semper Fi
A great family of Marines . I know your proud. Semper Fi. Cpl. JLS USMC 62/66.
TO ALL 3 CPL BEATTY, AFTER ALL THIS TIME TO FIND YOUR FATHERS FLAG IS ETERNALLY GRADIFING! GODS BLESSINGS TO ALL 3 OF YOU. SGT UISMC VIETNAM 1967-1968 IST RECON A CO 3RD PLATOON POINTMAN. (AKA: SGT ROCK)
Semper Fi. My Dad was turned down for the Marines in 1942 he weighed 100 lbs then and was smoking the induction officer told him he would not be able to carry the equipment. So he went home and drove truck at the Keystone Ordnance in Pennsylvania he delivered TNT and Torpedoes’ to the ship yards on the great lakes I told him he did his part worked two jobs and raised ten kids. I became the Marine went to Viet Nam so Dad played a part in me going to be a Marine’s Glad you have your fathers flag back.
This is a beautiful memorial to your father. It touches my heart that you acknowledge his part In 1942 and also in your becoming a Marine. I am sure he is/was proud of you. Semper fi from this mom of a Marine.
Semper Fi, my brother. God Bless America and Long Live the Republic.
Awesome story. Sad your father passed away at such a young age. I know the feeling having lost my dad recently. He was a Marine Sgt. WWII 1943-46 serving with MAG13. I followed in his footsteps not intentionally, but proud to do so. Second generation Marine, Capt. 0302 2Bn5thMar 1st MarDiv 1978-83. I guess we have some things in common. Very glad you recovered your family flag. Semper Fi.
Semper Fi Marine. Glad your Fathers flag was returned to the person who appreciates what it stands for in life. Someday it will be passed on to your son. Thank you for your story. It is very much appreciated by myself and I am sure many others.
I Salute you and your family. You did good. May god bless the entire Beatty Family. Sargent Joseph Ambrosio !964-1968. Viet Nam, August 1966 – August 1967. Semper Fi
I served in the USMC in 1976-1980 part of a special unit. Some of you may know of us. Today the unit has a honored name. Having completed numerous operations in far away places my unit was a very close bunch. We offen made promises to each other should we be KIA. As the unit leader I agreed to accompany my brothers home and explain the valor of their actions and present the honored flag. Five flags in all as the call to duty was answered. Today I have one of the flags given to me by the father of my best friend and fallen marine. I honor that flag with tears as I display it on every occasion that warrants the highest recognition for the sacrifices made by those of us that answered the call.
The fire of our nation’s flag burns deep, and the blood of the Corps runs thru our veins forever! Always faithful to both! Semper Fi Marine!
Great story marine. Semper Fi
Sempervivum. Go brother. May the flag fly proudly. Cpl. Steven Blair 69-73 RVN 70-72
Fly you fathers flag with honor and pride. Semper Fi, brother.
My most deeply condolence for your loving father that pass away so young, he live as marines and he die as a marine. One a marine always a marine. Samper-Fidelis Oorah!.
William T Beatty were you in 2nd Bn Plt 2035 at Parris Island Aug 67?…remember a Beatty in my Platoon…Great story
All’s well, that ends well. Ooh-Rah! Sgt. Moreno, P. Jr. 1st Shore Party Bn. 1st Mar. Div. DaNang. 1967, ’68, ’69. USMCRD San Diego. Platoon 3030.
Great story and great Marine tradition in your family. Display your Dads flag with the pride it deserves. Cpl G. Suniga USMC 1st MarDiv 7th eng 1371/0361 Vietnam 64/66.Semper FI.
God bless all lcpl Lawrence vollaro 1958-1960 1st bat 6 marines
What a blessing to find that flag so many years later. Semper Fidelis, my Brother ! Col (Ret.) GB Rhinesmith Jr, 7562, 1986-2013
I am happy you have your dad’s flag back after so long. I sympathize with you as I have a sister just the same. Our dad passed away just over a year ago at 96, a WW II Army vet, landed on Normandy in the 2nd wave. When he passed, my sister did not even attend the funeral, so goes it..same thing for many years. All she wanted was money, which he didn’t have anyway. I have his flag and it is at my home in a prominent place. My last words to him were ‘I am so proud you are my dad, I hope I have made you proud of me’.. I know he is with those above who loved him as I have. Semper FI brother. I was the Marine in our family.
I was glad to hear of the happy finding of the flag, and for it’s continued legacy I was a bit worried at first when I read that your hippy sister had it. I feared she may have taken it to an “Anti War Demonstration”, got loaded on Boones Farm Apple wine and pot and then burned it with the rest of her long haired, doped-up coward comrades. SEMPER FI
well old buddy, it really isn’t about you and I, it’s about “DAD”!!! mine served in the Navy from 1926 until 1956, he had 3 ships blown out from under him, wounded, but lived until he was 94 in 2002. when the Navy did the rights, they didn’t use a recording of “TAPS”, it was done by with a bugle!! my mom gave my dad’s flag to one of my brother in laws. not a single person (other than myself) was blood that was there, my mom live another 14 months. she said she would send the flag to me, but instead one of my nieces wound up with it. SAD ISN’T IT?? this flag and ALL like it is to be “RETIRED”, never to be flown!! maybe some day I will get it back and be able to show it the HONOR it deserves.. I served in the Corps, in “INDIAN” country from 67-69, let us ALL remember those that have fallen and to the real heros of our past!!! SEMPER-FI to all ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE MARINES COAST GAURD – FIRE FIGHTERS, AND YES THE POLICE also!!!