Duane W Beeson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, by February 1942 he had completed over 200 hours of flying and was transferred to Britain to join No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, RAF 24 days later he joined the 4th Fighter Group in September 1942. By October 1942 Beeson had become the first Ace of the 4th Fighter Group. He was shot down during a mission on 5 April 1944 and taken Prisoner of war. He was liberated in April 1945, and on his return to the United States sought transfer to the Pacific Theatre of Operations, but the war in the Pacific came to an end before he was assigned. Following the War Beeson was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and based in Sarasota, Florida where he met his wife- Tracey Waters, whom he married in 1946. In 1947, aged 25 Beeson died after contracting a brain tumor. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Flew 240 hours with RAF. Transferred to 8th AF September 1942. Second highest scoring pilot in ETO before being shot down. Crashed near Brandenburg on 5 Apr 44 in P-51 'Boise Bee' Prisoner of War (POW). Credited with 24 enemy aircraft destroyed.

Awards: DSC, DFC (6OLC) SS, AM (5OLC), Croix de Guerre, PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME.

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