Briefing Document: Wendell Wayne Beaty

Subject: Life and Military Service of Wendell Wayne Beaty

Date: October 26, 2023

Summary: This document details the life and military service of Wendell Wayne Beaty, focusing on his early life, education, enlistment in the US Army Air Corps, and tragic death during World War II.

Key Themes and Facts:

Early Life and Family:

Wendell Wayne Beaty was born on December 15, 1921, in Newburg, Comanche County, Texas.

His parents were Mattie Lee Cunningham (born 1892, died 1973) and Benjamin Franklin Beaty (born 1888, died 1969), both of whom were from Texas.

The text notes the age of his parents at the time of his birth: Mattie Lee was 29 and Benjamin Franklin was 33.

The 1930 Census records him at age 7 living with his family in Comanche County, Texas.

Education:

He graduated from Comanche High School in 1939.

He attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas.

The text specifically mentions he had “two years of college education” at the time of his enlistment.

Military Service:

Enlistment: He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on January 12, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, "from civilian life". His ASN was 18038876.

Commission: Beaty received his wings and a 2nd Lieutenant commission in September 1942.

Promotion: He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in February 1945 while stationed at Steeple Morden, England.

Unit: He served as a Captain (O-664498) in the 358th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.

Aircraft: He piloted the North American P-51D Mustang fighter aircraft (s/n 44-15617)

Station: He was based at Steeple Morden Airfield, England.

Death:

Circumstances: Captain Beaty died on March 29, 1945, while on a "routine aircraft inspection flight test."

Accident: He crashed his P-51 Mustang and was "killed in the line of duty", but the event was classified as a "non-battle event."

Location: The crash site was on the coast of France, at Calais, "115 miles southeast of home base."

Initial Burial: He was initially buried in a temporary grave.

Repatriation: In 1949, his remains were repatriated to America.

Final Burial: He was reinterred in the Newburg Cemetery at Newburg, Comanche County, Texas, on June 3, 1949.

Key Quotes:

"Wendell W. Beaty asn-18038876 a single white male born Texas in 1921 residing in Brown County, Texas attending college with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet at Dallas, Texas on 12 January 1942."

"Captain Wendell W. Beaty O-664498 US Army Air Forces 358th Fighter Squadron 355th Fighter Group 8th Air Force was piloting North American P-51D Mustang s/n 44-15617 fighter aircraft out of Steeple Morden Airfield, England on 29 March 1945 on a routine aircraft inspection flight test when he crashed the P-51."

"The crash site is reported to be 115 miles southeast of home base on the coast of France at Calais . He was killed in the line of duty, but the accident was a non-battle event."

Conclusion:

Wendell Wayne Beaty was a young man who transitioned from civilian life to serve in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He received his pilot's wings and rose to the rank of Captain. His death, while a non-combat accident, underscores the dangers faced by all service members even outside of direct battle. His life story, from small-town Texas to a temporary grave in France to his final resting place in Newburg, Texas reflects the sacrifices made by many during that era. This briefing provides a concise summary of the important events in his life based on the source text.