Beal served in the United States Marine Corps and was trained as a specialist in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Sergeant Beal fought in Vietnam as a door gunner on a Huey gunship, earning his Marine Corps Combat Air Crew Wings and fighting in more than 200 combat missions and 24 major counter-insurgency operations against the North Vietnamese Army in Khe Sanh, Con Thien, Lao Bảo, Dong Ha and the A Shau Valley. He received the Combat Action Ribbon along with 8 Air Medals for braveryPresident of the United States, Eighth Award presented on February 18, 1970 and was awarded a Single Mission Air Medal with Bronze Star for heroism during the rescue of a severely wounded Marine reconnaissance team near Hamburger Hill in the A Shau Valley on April 11, 1969. According to the citation for the award, after a serious firefight with an overwhelming force near Lao Bảo earlier in the day, Beal's crew refueled and came upon the trapped recon team. Surrounded by enemy fire, the Marines were struggling to drag their wounded up the extremely steep and muddy mountain to an accessible area, but were taking fire from all sides and nearly out of strength. While engaging the enemy, a rocket warhead crashed through the windscreen, hitting the pilot and crew chief. Without hesitation, the team trapped the as yet unexploded ordnance in the cabin and kept firing. The citation continues that due to his "unwavering tenacity in the face of withering enemy fire," all five Marines were saved.President of the United States, Awarded on September 18, 1969 Additionally, Beal was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V for Valor for his service to Vietnamese refugees near the DMZ who had fled mass genocide by the North Vietnamese Army in the North in recognition of his dedication in helping to build schools, provide medical care and protect the civilians,Lt. H.W. Buse, Jr., Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Vietnam Civil Actions Medal from the government of the Republic of Vietnam. Other medals include the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal and RVN Vietnam Service Medal.United States Marine Corps DD214
