William O. Beel
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
William O. Beel
Mr. Beel entered the Army in June 1943.
He served as a Private First Class and heavy equipment operator with the 1294th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 43rd Infantry Division.
On Luzon, Philippines, he worked on roads and air strips north of Lingayen Gulf and Balete Pass. He was hospitalized with malaria and for surgery. He was then sent to Los Banos prison camp south of Manila to served as a guard. While he was there, U.S. forces executed Japanese General Homma ("Beast of Bataan") as a war criminal in April 1946.
Mr. Beel was separated May 1946.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 34.
