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Adapted from "Captain Carl E. Beam, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Naval Reserve, Retired"  [biography, dated 10 February 1953] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • DANFS (Dictionary of American Fighting Ships)
  • People--Other American
  • Cruises, Deployments, and Exercises
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War I 1917-1918
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Carl Eugene Beam

30 October 1888 - 

PDF Version [14.7MB]

Carl Eugene Beam was born in Yale Iowa, on October 30, 1888, son of Henry Lewis and Ada Belle (Perkins) Beam. As a student at the University of Washington, at Seattle, he participated in track and boxing, and  was a member of the Tau Beta Pi and Psi Upsilon fraternity. Graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, he was employed from 1914 to 1917 in drainage work in Easter Washington.

He had World War I service in the US Army from October 4, 1917 to August 5, 1919. During that period he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Engineers, on June 17, 1918, and was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 28, 1919. He served overseas from September 20, 1918 to July 23, 1919.

After his release from active service, he was employed for two years by the Washington State Reclamation Service, serving in the capacity of Assistant Chief Engineer. In May 1921 he became Editor of Proceedings and Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Later he was made Assistant Secretary of that organization, and served as such until 1941, shortly before the United States’ entry into World War II.

Commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve on December 5, 1933, he was called to active duty in that rank on May 19, 1941. He attained the rank of Captain on January 28, 1944, to date from August 16, 1943, and was transferred to the Honorary Retired List in that rank on November 1, 1952. His entire World War II service, from May 1941 to December 1945, was in the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Navy Department, Washington, DC. Since 1946 he has been Publications Manger of Civil Engineering Magazine, American Society of Civil Engineers.

For his World War II service, Captain Beam received a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon, from the Secretary of Navy as follows: "For meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a member of the Board for Contract Awards, of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, prior to the outbreak of war and since December 7, 1941. Captain Beam, by his knowledge of architectural and engineering contracts and his judgment in recommending fees on these contracts, together with his tact and diplomacy in dealing with contractors, has rendered a distinct service to the Board for Contract Awards and to the Bureau of Yards and Docks....."

In addition to the Commendation Ribbon, Captain Beam has the US Naval Reserve Medal; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal..

Captain Beam is a member of Hy-Powa Rifle and Gun Club of Nassau County, New York; the Moles; and the American Society of Civil Engineers.  He is also a member of the US Naval Institute.

END

Published: Fri Dec 06 10:03:48 EST 2019