Ronnie D BeetsSpecialist FourB CO, 2ND BN, 502ND INFANTRY, 101 ABN DIV Army of the United States 13 February 1944 - 26 October 1972 Odessa, Texas Panel 24E Line 111 |
| |
   
|
|
The database page for Ronnie D Beets
|
Ronnie was wounded in action and went through the Medevac process. He made it home but then died of his wounds. I had just came back to my home town from my service in the Army and my last two years of college when Ronnie died. I didn't know Ronnie that well. I knew who he was. Ronnie was a 1962 graduate of Ector High School in Odessa, Texas. Although Ronnie died in 1972 his name wasn't added to the Wall in Washington, D.C., until 1986. Ronnie is honored by the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial and by the Ector County, Texas, memorials at the courthouse. May his sacrifice never be forgotten.
From a hometown acquaintance,
The two photos above were provided by |
|
I remember Ronnie through church in Odessa. I knew his wife and nephews. I remember Ronnie as a Christian, I remember he was suffering a lot from his wounds. He was in a wheelchair and when he was sick and unable to come to church we would gather in front and pray for him. When he went away the newspaper showed his picture and mentioned the end of the war came too late for Ronnie. Ronnie was the same age as my cousin Nelson Payne Tuttle who died in Viet Nam on July 15, 1970. Nelson was born in November 1944 compared to Ronnie who was born in February. I am very proud and honored to have known Ronnie Beets.
From a friend, |
|
When Ronnie came home from Vietnam, paralyzed and wheelchair bound, he attended the University of Oklahoma. He was a beloved member of our special group of writers and soldiers, including Jim Morris and Rick Rescorla. We called him ''Sweet Beets''. He was as fine a man as ever roamed this planet -- and we have kept him alive in our memories for 33 years now. God bless you, Ronnie. Your friends are looking forward to seeing you again on the other side.
From a friend, |
|
I am the only son of Uncle Ronnie's youngest brother. I was only four when he died but I remember sitting on his lap when he was in his wheelchair. He came to visit me in Oklahoma City where his parents lived. I still go and visit his gravesite every year in Anadarko. Thank You for your kind words and his pictures. This helps his memory live on.
From his nephew, |
|
Ronnie Beets was married to my cousin Marlyn Farley Beets and I have the fondest memories of their sweet family and the love they had for God and this country. I am blessed to have been able to spend time with Ronnie and Marlyn. The sacrifice he made for us is a tribute to what a fine man he was. God Bless Marlyn and his children.
From a cousin, |
A Note from The Virtual WallDuring the night of 13/14 Aug 1967 Bravo Company 2/502nd Infantry was engaged by a larger force while moving out from Landing Zone West near Chu Lai. Two men were killed and a number wounded in a fight that lasted much of the night. The known dead were SGT Johnnie H. Patterson of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, and CPL Danny L. Ingles of New Lebanon, Ohio; SGT Alexander Jackson of Washington, DC, may also have died in the night fight or may have been killed in a separate action later on 14 Aug 1967.SP4 Ronnie D. Beets was one of the seriously wounded, with fragmentation wounds to the legs and a large wound centered in his back. Paralyzed from the chest down, SP4 Beets survived both the wounds and subsequent hospitalizations, was medically retired in 1970, and died from his injuries on 26 October 1972, just over five years after being wounded. SP4 Beets was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the battle, actions taken before and after he was wounded:
|
|
The point-of-contact for this memorial is his nephew, Billy C. Beets, Jr., M. D. erfp@hotmail.com |
|
Top of Page
 www.VirtualWall.org Back to |
With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 26 Feb 2004
Last updated 11/09/2007