John David Beste
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
John David Beste served in World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy from January 1943, until October 18, 1945.
He was assigned to the submarine USS Skate and served in the Pacific Theater. His rank was Electrician’s Mate Second Class. He served on a submarine that patrolled the seas and ocean around Japan during the final years of World War II. Mr. Beste and the rest of the crew of the USS Skate were decorated with the Navy Unit Citation.
Mr. Beste was born in 1923 in Virginia, Minnesota, the son of August and Nettie Beste.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran reminiscences (see below):
John David Beste U.S. Navy 1943-1945 World War II Veteran “As a member of the USS Skate (SS-305) in 1943 and 1945, we made many successful patrols on the east side, west side, north side, and south side of Japan, including our next to last patrol, when we participated with eight other submarines in the Sea of Japan. We had a field day in there, as there hadn’t been a submarine in there since 1943.
“The first day we were allowed to attack, we sank a submarine as it was leaving port. We also would penetrate ports at night to sink ships. For this run, the crews of all nine submarines were awarded membership in the “Mighty Mine Dodgers,” an exclusive club reserved for only those who entered the Sea of Japan through the southern entrance. We lost one sub, the Bonefish, who was sunk by a destroyer. The crew of the Skate was also awarded the Navy Unit Citation for all the successful patrol runs during World War II.”
