Corporal Thomas Lee Beelman
“Thomas was smart, articulate, thoughtful, likable, loyal, and a jokester. He was a fighter who wouldn’t quit.”
Rebel Without a Cause
In the midst of the Great Depression, Carl B. Beelman Sr. (32) and Josephine E. (née Whitcomb) Beelman (27) welcome their third son, Thomas Lee Beelman, on September 30, 1931 in Donnellson, Iowa. He joins his brothers Carl B. Beelman Jr. (7) and Donald W. Beelman (5). His only sister, Marie J. Beelman, was lost in late pregnancy six years prior.
With their farm left in the depression’s wake, Carl Sr. establishes the Rainbow tavern in Fort Madison as the Prohibition Era ends. Thomas attends Sacred Heart Elementary School where he meets Thomas Edward Kelley and Michael Wayne Brasfield. They form a tight friendship; closer than with his brothers, later described by Brasfield as “little rascals”. They vowed to protect each other and quickly established a reputation for mischievousness and rough-housing. Thomas, described as a “Rebel Without a Cause”, is their defacto leader and given the nickname “Butch”.
As Hitler continues to conquer Europe, Josephine (35) unexpectedly dies from a heart attack on March 10, 1940. Thomas is 9 years old. Just over three years later, as America is forced into the war, Carl Jr. (18) is drafted into the Army Air Corps on May 20, 1943, service number 37671354, and serves with the 70th Fighter Squadron until 1946, earning the rank of Sergeant.
As World War II ends, the little rascals begin high school at Catholic Central. They are a big challenge for the Nuns. By their sophomore year, they transfer to Fort Madison High School. Despite his recalcitrance, Thomas maintains good grades “without ever studying”. After years of working at the Rainbow tavern for his father, Thomas buys a Dodge sedan the fall semester of his senior year, 1949. The rascal crew also expands with the addition of Donna Looney, Norma Dale, and Martha Wehmeyer; their girlfriends. As Brasfield later described, their senior year was like American Graffiti, spending most weekends cruising the streets and at the West Point Legion Club, a tavern in Fort Madison. By Thomas’ spring semester, 1950, his antics had finally caught up with him when he totaled the sedan in a collision with a grain truck. Facing jail time, he took the judge’s alternative option and enlisted in the United States Army on March 7, 1950.
The “little rascals” last photo together, March 6th 1950. Michael Brasfield (left), Thomas Beelman (center), Thomas Kelley (right).
Military Service
Into Destiny
Facing jail time in the midst of his senior year of high school for cumulative rebellion throughout his salad days, Thomas alternatively enlists in the United States Army on March 7, 1950. He is 18 years old and sent to Fort Lewis in Washington for Basic Training.
It is peacetime in America. With the horror of World War II behind them, Americans are wallowing in the golden age of capitalism. Despite the Soviet Union’s establishment of the Eastern Bloc and detonation of their first nuclear bomb, Americans are determined to stay out of yet another European conflict and ignore the rumblings of the Cold War. Antimilitarism sentiment and complacency result in massive budget reductions, unit consolidation, and degradation of readiness throughout the United States Armed Forces. Basic Training is reduced from 13 to 8 weeks.
Thomas completes training in May, service number 17278150, with the MOS 4745 (Light Weapons Infantryman). Thirty days later, the Korean People's Army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (“North Korea”) crosses the 38th parallel to blitzkrieg Seoul, the capitol of the Republic of Korea (“South Korea”), igniting the Korean War — for the United States, the Korea Campaign of the Cold War.
As United Nations Forces are routed throughout July at the Battles of Osan and Taejon, Thomas is assigned to LIMA Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division and urgently mobilized as reinforcement. In August, they are transported from Naval Base San Diego aboard the USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113) and mass at Camp Crawford in Japan.
6,342 Miles From Home
By August 1950, the Korean People's Army have conquered 87% of the Korean peninsula. United Nations Forces, and all South Korean civilians, have been driven to a 5,000 square mile area on the southeastern tip of South Korea bordered by a defensive line called the "Pusan Perimeter" (map right). As the Korean People's Army encircles their position, American General Walton Walker issues the “Stand or Die” order (quote below), committing United Nations Forces to a last stand that culminates in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. Over the next six weeks, as Thomas and other reinforcements race to their aid, United Nations Forces destroy ~33% Korean People's Army and turn the tide of the war through one of the greatest defensive victories in history.
We are fighting a battle against time. There will be no more withdrawal or readjustment of the lines. There is no line behind us to which we can retreat…There will be no Dunkirk. There will be no Bataan. We must fight until the end…We will fight as a team. If some of us must die, we will die fighting together…We are going to hold this line. We are going to win.
- General Walton Walker
Simultaneously, Thomas and the 31st Infantry Regiment, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 77th Heavy Tank Battalion, and 15th Anti-aircraft Battalion are combined to form the 31st Regimental Combat Team (31st RCT) (commonly referred to today as Task Force Faith) under command of Colonel Richard Ovenshine while massing at Camp Crawford. On September 7th, they are transported to the port of Yokohama via rail, then loaded onto transport ships bound for Korea. While in transit they are briefed on Operation Chromite, a pincer orchestrated by American General Douglas MacArthur. The plan is an amphibious invasion at the beach of Incheon 205 miles northwest of Pusan that will flank and cutoff the remaining ~66% of the Korean People's Army. After landing, 31st RCT is tasked with capturing the Suwon Air Base 22 miles inland. Over the next twelve days, Thomas studies maps, reports, and plans while rehearsing tactics. He lands at Incheon on September 19 via LST and proceeds to Suwon. On September 30th, Thomas’ 19th birthday, they capture the air base; suffering 25 KIA and 75 WIA while inflicting 300 Enemy-KIA, capturing 500 POWs, and destroying 14 tanks and 6 anti-tank guns. Thomas, along with LIMA Company (3rd Battalion), capture Hill 92 and Hill 113, inflicting 33% of the total enemy casualties.
North and South Korea divided by the 38th parallel. All South Korean citizens and United Nations Forces were driven to the Pusan Perimeter (blue) in July 1950, setting the stage for one of the most notable last stands in history.
Throughout October, as United Nations Forces cross the 38th parallel to capture North Korea, the 31st Regimental Combat Team, now commanded by Colonel Allan D. Maclean, maneuvers 200 miles south over land toward Pusan (Busan); recapturing towns, liberating prisoners, and killing/capturing remaining North Korean forces. When they reach Pusan, they are tasked with increasing combat effectiveness (training) with emphasis on: physical conditioning, mountain warfare, communications and control, coordination of fire and control, and maintenance of equipment. When not training, they are confined to floating transports in Pusan harbor. Thomas is aboard the USS General M. M. Patrick (AP-150).
On October 25th, the People's Volunteer Army of the People's Republic of China (“China”) crosses the Yalu River into North Korea and attacks United Nations Forces at the Battle of Onjong. The 31st Regimental Combat Team is ordered to join the United Nations Forces in the “Home by Christmas Offensive” in North Korea. They are to land 360 miles north at Riwŏn (Iwon) beach via another amphibious invasion called Operation Tailboard. On November 3rd at 2pm, Thomas lands on the beach. The 31st RCT are tasked with guarding the left flank of the 17th Infantry Regiment in the mountains toward the Pujŏn-ho (Fusen) Reservoir while the 17th captures Kapsan. They reach the reservoir on November 15th and engage with ~200 Chinese forces which are repulsed with air strikes via a Marine F4U Corsair. After securing the area, they conduct rotating patrols for the next week while enduring an early winter with temperatures reaching -2°F. By November 23rd, 83 soldiers of 31-RCT are treated for frostbite with 33 evacuated.
Star of Koto-ri designed by Anna Celia Urband, 1983
The Chōshin Few
All battles are terrible, but this one might well have been the very worst in American history. These were some of the harshest winter conditions that American forces have ever fought in.
— Hampton Sides
PRELUDE: On November 24th, the 31st Regimental Combat Team (31st RCT) is tasked with replacing the 5th Marine Regiment on the east side of the Chōshin (Changjin-ho) Reservoir where they will execute a final offensive (Operation Order 25) to capture the rest of North Korea up to the Yalu River. They immediately embark on the 140 mile rail-ride and road-march via the Main Supply Road (MSR) from the Pujŏn-ho (Fusen) Reservoir. The Chōshin Reservoir is located on Kaema Plateau (“Roof of Korea”) amid the Rangrim Mountains with elevations reaching 7,414 feet above sea level. The area is isolated, barren, and sparsely populated. Temperatures reach -40°F in winter. The winter of 1950 arrives early and the 31st RCT is not yet supplied with full winter gear; equipped with only the M1943 Uniform, windbreaker, galoshes, and standard gloves. The 31st RCT now consists of: 3rd Battalion of the 31st Infantry Regiment (Thomas’ battalion), 1st Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, the 57th Field Artillery Brigade, the 15th Anti-aircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion, and a Heavy Mortar Company. Their total strength is approximately 3,288 soldiers (including 715 KATUSA soldiers with limited training).
DAY 1: On November 27th at 4pm the 31st RCT arrives at the east side of the Chōshin Reservoir and establish defensive positions along the 10 mile coastline. Most of 3rd Battalion (Headquarters, KILO, MIKE, and INDIA companies) and the 57th Field Artillery Battalion (ALPHA and BRAVO batteries) establish positions at the base of Hill 1456 on the south side of the P’yungnyuri Inlet. Thomas (and LIMA company) take an overwatch position on a ridge of Hill 1324 on the north side of the inlet. 1st Battalion (Headquarters, ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, and DELTA companies) and the Heavy Mortar company establish positions approximately three miles north of LIMA at the base of Hill 1324 and Hill 1316. At 10pm, approximately 120,000 soldiers from the People's Volunteer 9th Army under command of General Song Shilun launch a surprise attack on the Chōshin Reservoir. Approximately 20,000 of them from the 80th Division and 81st Division (veterans of the Chinese Civil War) attack the east side. They outnumber the 31st Regimental Combat Team 6 to 1. Their plan is to execute a large pincer around the reservoir by quickly overrunning the 31st RCT on the east side, then sweep around the south side to encircle and destroy the 15,000 Marines on the west side. To overrun the 31st RCT, they execute a small pincer: three regiments attack the 1st Battalion north of Thomas at Hill 1324 while the 242nd Regiment captures Hill 1221 south of Thomas; preventing reinforcements, medical support, and supplies via the Main Supply Road (MSR). The 31-RCT is now cut-off and surrounded.
DAY 2: On November 28th (Thanksgiving Day) at 1am, Thomas sees the 239th Regiment stampeding down the P’yungnyuri valley in a frontal attack directly into KILO, MIKE, and INDIA companies. Their lines are overrun by 2am and they withdraw to the 3rd Battalion Headquarters. By 4am, Headquarters is overrun and they withdraw to ALPHA battery. By 5am, ALPHA is overrun and they withdraw to BRAVO battery. By 6am, they stem the attack and drive Chinese forces into retreat, recapturing ALPHA battery. By dawn, 31st RCT had lost 18 officers including Thomas’ 3rd Battalion Commander. 3rd Battalion also lost its forward air controller, preventing precise airdrops or close-air support. As a result, the majority of their first airdrop (with ammo, food, and cold weather supplies) lands in enemy territory that afternoon. Underestimating the extent of the attack, Major General Ned Almond orders 31st RCT to re-group and re-prepare for the offensive (Operation Order 25) to capture the rest of North Korea the following day.
DAY 3-4: On November 29th at 1230am, four regiments from the 80th Division launch another attack on 31st RCT. By 5am, 1st Battalion (and Thomas with LIMA company still positioned on the ridge) are overrun by the 240th Regiment. They are ordered to withdrawal across the inlet and combine remaining forces with 3rd Battalion. As they cross the bridge, 31st RCT Commander Colonel Allan D. MacLean is wounded and captured. 1st Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith assumes his command. By morning, 3rd Battalion — with vital help from the 57th Field Artillery Battalion’s M16 and M19 anti-aircraft (AA) guns — repulse their attack; destroying most of the 238th and 239th Regiments. Unable to launch the offensive, the 31st RCT remains in place as higher-headquarters determines what to do. That evening, elements of the PVA’s 94th Division arrive to reinforce the shattered 80th and 81st Divisions, replenishing their strength to six regiments. General Song Shilun orders the complete destruction of 31st RCT by dawn. Miraculously, the 31st RCT again holds the line through the night. By the afternoon on November 30th — a month since Chinese forces entered the war at the Battle of Onjong — Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur recognizes United Nation Forces are not currently equipped to fight the People's Volunteer Army and orders all forces to withdrawal south of the 38th Parallel.
DAY 5: On December 1st at 1pm, the 31st RCT begins to withdrawal along the Main Supply Road (MSR). Their objective is the port of Hungnam 78 miles away. Their first waypoint is Hagaru-ri, 6 miles away, where they will combine forces with the withdrawing Marines from the west side. To get there, the 31st RCT must breakthrough the 242nd Regiment who controls the high-ground on Hill 1221 and have prepared ambushes along the entire route. Of the 3,288 soldiers who arrived at Chōshin 48 hrs prior, approximately 3,081 remain alive. Thomas is among them. Countless are wounded. Approximately 500 are critically wounded and loaded onto the few remaining trucks. The remaining 2,581soldiers form a column for the march. Thomas (and LIMA company) are assigned with defending the rearguard; the most difficult position. Approximately 30 minutes into the withdrawal, 31st RCT starts taking significant mortar and small-arms fire. They call a danger-close airstrike. The napalm neutralizes the attack, but one bomb also hits the lead unit of the column, killing and wounding over 24 soldiers and jamming the road. By 3pm, they reach Hill 1221, a heavily fortified mountain that has already defeated 3 reinforcement attempts including Company A of 77th Heavy Tank Battalion commanded by Captain Robert Drake. The next few hours are nothing short of a bloodbath. As the column is mercilessly raked with heavy machine gun fire, they suffer more fratricide by napalm in the fading daylight. 31st RCT commander Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith orders counterattacks to secure the hill, leading one himself and is killed by a grenade. As the column advances the remaining 4 miles through Hudong-ni to Hagaru-ri, their formation completely breaks-down and is overrun. The wounded found in trucks are blown up with grenades, raked with machine guns, and/or burned alive. Hundreds are captured as POWs. Many are immediately executed while others begin a 17 day march to POW Camp Kanggye; most dying along the way.
DAY 6-9: By morning of December 2nd, surviving soldiers trickle into Hagaru-ri. Some along the Main Supply Route. Some over the frozen reservoir. Some crawling. In total, 404 were killed. 1,137 are critically wounded are evacuated to Japan. Hundreds are missing. Of the 3,081 soldiers that begin the withdrawal 24 hrs prior, approximately 1,042 remain. Miraculously, Thomas is among them. Approximately 66% of 31st RCT was destroyed in the first 8 miles. They still have 70 to go. As Marines from the west side also trickle in, Thomas (and remaining 31st RCT soldiers) are tasked with defending the perimeter on the East Hill. From December 3-5, the 58th Division attempts to breakthrough, killing another 119 soldiers. The 31st RCT, now reduced to 923 soldiers, is consolidated into a single battalion (“31/7”) and attached to the 7th Marines. While in Hagaru-ri, Thomas is able finally eat, sleep, and obtain proper equipment through vital airdrops. By the evening of December 5th, all Chōshin forces have been consolidated, search and rescue efforts have been ended, and final plans for withdrawal to Hungnam have been finished.
DAY 10-15: On December 6th at 4am, the convoy of 10,000 marines and soldiers and 1,000 vehicles departs for Hungham. Their objective is to reach Sudong, 21 miles away, where they can transit the remaining 41 miles to Hungham by rail. Their first waypoint is Koto-ri, 11 miles away, through narrow and winding dirt roads with steep elevation varying 4,000 feet. The temperature continues below zero. To get there, they must breakthrough approximately 40,000 PVA soldiers from the 76th Division and 77th Division who again command the high-ground and have prepared ambushes along the entire route; later referred to as “Hellfire Valley” and “Nightmare Alley”. It is here that Chesty Puller, the most decorated Marine in history, became legend; uttering famous quotes such as “So we’re surrounded. That simplifies things, they can’t get away from us now!” and “Don’t forget that you’re Marines! Not all the Communists in hell can overrun you!”. After failing to destroy UN Forces at Chōshin and Hagaru-ri, PVA forces have been ordered by General Song Shilun to fight to the last man, and they do. As the convoy continues to breakthrough, General Song Shilun orders the 180th Regiment to blow-up the Gatehouse bridge in the Funchilin Pass; trapping the convoy. Reconnaissance aircraft observe the destruction and plans are immediately developed to airdrop portable bridge sections at Koto-ri; a logistical and engineering marvel. On December 7th at 5am, the lead units of the convoy finally reach Koto-ri as a blinding snowstorm begins preventing the airdrop. As the convoy hunkers-in for the next 48 hours, they are filled with despair. On the evening of December 8th, their first sign of hope emerges when a single star is seen through the blizzard; indicating a clearing of conditions. It is later referred to as the “Star of Koto-ri” and becomes the symbol of veterans who served at Chōshin, referred to as the “Chosin Few”. On December 9th, the blizzard clears, the bridge arrives, and is assembled. On December 10th, the convoy resumes their withdrawal toward Sudong. By 9m on December 11th, all remaining units of the convoy arrive in Hungham.
Miracle of Christmas: On December 14th, the remaining soldiers of the 31st Regimental Combat Team board a ship bound for Pusan. Of the 3,288 soldiers who arrived at the Chōshin Reservoir two weeks prior, approximately 385 remain. Thomas is not among them. While the “Home by Christmas Offensive” is a strategic loss for United Nations Forces, surrendering 23,000 square miles, it does result in the “Miracle of Christmas”: The Hungnam evacuation becomes the Korean War’s Dunkirk, ultimately preserving 105,000 military personnel, 98,000 refugees, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies. China’s 9th Army ultimately suffered 48,156 causalities. Commanding Officer General Song Shilun offered his resignation for failing to destroy American forces.
Chōshin Documentaries
GRAVY: Missing in Action
On November 27th, the 31st Regimental Combat Team had approximately 3,288 soldiers at the Chōshin (Changjin-ho) Reservoir. By December 11th, 385 made it to Hungnam. 844 were killed in action. 1,137 were critically wounded and evacuated at Hagaru-ri. 922 (including 73 from LIMA Company) are declared missing in action on December 12, 1950. Thomas is among them. He is declared deceased on December 31, 1953.
Chain of Command
LIMA Company
Awards & Decorations
Ambassador for Peace Medal
In 2010, the Republic of Korea established the Ambassador for Peace Medal to commemorate service on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. It was conferred to Thomas on August 9, 2018 via his cousin Rebecca (née Beelman) Marriøtt at the DPAA Annual Briefing in Washington D.C. The citation reads:
Official Proclamation
Thomas Lee Beelman
It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.
We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us reestablish our Free Nation.
In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions, it is our privilege to proclaim you an “AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE” with every good wish of people of the Republic of Korea. Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.
Minister, Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea
No American left behind
Case Number 0441F
Thomas was declared Missing in Action on December 12, 1950. When the Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, approximately 11,044 Americans were missing in Korea. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has been looking for them ever since. The effort to find Thomas is designated Field Search Case #0441F.
Because the Korean War is still ongoing, access to battlefields, graves, and remains have been relegated to political gamesmanship. Since 1953, these are the major initiatives:
Operation Glory
As part of the Armistice agreement, the United States exchanged 13,528 North Korean and Chinese remains for 4,167 remains in Operation Glory. By 1956, the Graves Registration Service had identified 2,944 of them as American remains; with 2,078 positively identified by medical records. Although DNA was identified in 1953, the Central Identification Laboratory wouldn’t be established until 1973. As a result, the remaining 866 unidentified remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, also known as the “Punch Bowl”.
K208
As the Cold War continued for the next 35 years, no further recovery efforts in North Korea were made until the Soviet Union was defeated. In 1991, President H.W. Bush sought to normalize diplomatic relations. Recovery was one of the prerequisites. To demonstrate goodwill, Kim Jong-il returned 208 caskets of remains. As of 2018, 187 have been positively identified.
Joint Field Activities
Building on the success of K208, President Clinton achieved the Agreed Framework on October 21, 1994, which established the joint program to search for American remains. From 1996-2005, thirty expeditions recovered 229 remains. As of 2018, 156 have been positively identified. After the War on Terror began, President W. Bush included North Korea among the Axis of Evil, which ended the joint program in 2005.
Punch Bowl
As advancements in forensic DNA technology have been made, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has been slowly exhuming the 866 unidentified remains since 1999. In 2017, President Trump directed the agency to disinter all remains in seven phases over the next five years. As of 2018, 142 have been positively identified.
Singapore Summit
On June 12, 2018, President Trump re-established the joint program to search for American remains at the Singapore Summit. To demonstrate goodwill, Kim Jong-un returned 55 caskets of remains. As of 2019, 38 have been positively identified. The program was subsequently cancelled on February 28, 2019 at the Hanoi Summit.
Overview of the effort, narrated by Kevin Costner.
11,044 Americans
Missing in Action as of 1953
8,966 Americans
Missing in Action as of 1956
8,799 Americans
Missing in Action as of 2005
8,424 Americans
Missing in Action as of 2019
Friends for Life
The little rascals grew up, but they did not move on. Thomas Kelley and Donna Looney married on February 16, 1951. After the loss of his first wife, Michael Brasfield and Norma Dale married on August 30, 1997. Devastated from the loss of Thomas, Martha Wehmeyer attended the College of Saint Teresa for nursing and moved to Los Angeles shortly after, forever leaving the midwest behind.
In solidarity to their childhood pact, Thomas Kelley enlisted in the US Navy and Michael Brasfield in the US Marines to serve in the Korean War. When they returned, they never stopped searching for him. Their cumulative research has been instrumental to this expedition. Thomas Kelley died peacefully in 2005, followed by Donna in 2006. Martha joined them in 2015, followed by Norma in 2021. As of 2022, Michael is still searching.
To ensure Butch would not be forgotten, Mike, Thomas, and Butch’s brother Donald purchased a veteran’s marker (pictured right) for him in June 1998. It is located in Row 1, Space 1A, Soldier’s Circle of the Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Legacy
“The most important thing a man can take into war is a reason why.”
The Korea Campaign was the first major engagement of the Cold War, a fight for the fate of civilization. 70 years later, the Republic of Korea is one of the most prosperous nations in history (a miracle) while the Soviet Union no longer exists and North Korea remains in shambles. While 98,000 lives were saved during the Hungnam evacuation , millions were saved in South Korea (for contrast, see the aftermath of the Fall of Saigon in the Vietnam Campaign of the Cold War). Among them were Susan Kee’s parents who immigrated their family to America in 1975.
As a Korean American who is alive today because of great American heroes like Corporal Beelman, I will never forget the tremendous sacrifices he and his family made for my life and freedom.
- Susan Kee
Susan was born in Korea, raised in California, and attended UCLA. In 2012, she left her career at IBM and dedicated her life to honoring veterans of the Korean War. She has traveled thousands of miles, met hundreds of veterans and their families, and is writing a book to share her full story. Learn more about her journey here: facebook.com/susankeewriter
Ms. Kee embodies our “why”, and everything it means to be an American. From our entire family, thank you Susan.
Expedition History
Acknowledgements
2000: The last of Thomas’ immediate family, brother Donald W. Beelman, passes on
2003: Thomas’ cousin, Thomas Marriøtt, continues the search effort joining the Korean War Project and Coalition of Families of Cold War MIAs
2014-2018: biographical research, collection of DNA, initiated work with Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
2018: DPAA briefing in Washington, D.C.; received Ambassador for Peace Medal from Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
2019: groundwork for burial at Arlington National Cemetery
2019: grassroots support of 116th US Congress, Senate Bill “S. 2794: Bring Our Heroes Home Act”
2020: 70th Anniversary, Korea Revisit Program
Carl Sr, Carl Jr, and Donald Beelman
Family who endured 50 years without closure
Thomas Kelley and Michael Brasfield
Friends who never stopped searching
Bruce, Dan, and Bonnie Beelman
Family instrumental to this expedition
Donna June
Thomas Kelley’s granddaughter instrumental to this expedition
Get Involved
Contact
Beelman@marriøtt.org
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