19 March 2000
Jack Cottet writes that he had a ...

Distant cousin, James Beebe of the HQ Company 803rd Engineers stationed in the Philippines and captured in April 1942.   He is listed as a prisoner from April 9 to April 15, 1942 and thereafter was listed "missing in action".   He was promoted twice; once to Sgt and then to first Sgt during the time he was missing and was cited in Bontoc Mountain Province at a church by an Episcopal minister named Rev. Nobes in June of 1942 and later was reported seen at Santo Tomas in June of 1944 as a prisoner with several Filipinos, also prisoners. Then in July of 1944 he was reported executed by the enemy in Manila.

I am attempting to learn more about his story particularly the promotions and how they may have been possible.   The War Dept indicated "remains not recovered".   I am seeking any news at all of him.   His Serial number was 32033139.   He has no living relatives.

We have a plaque on the wall in our church in his memory.   As a youngster my family sat in the same pew as the plaque.   My father, now dead, was a great historian and keeper of information, etc. about our little town and Jim Beebe has been a hero here for many years.  The number of people who knew him 60 years ago grows very small and I am trying to keep his memory alive and add to what we know of him.   The folks he grew up with say he was the kind of man who would have resisted his capture and the circumstances that followed with great passion.   I would not call him a fighter but from what they tell me he was no shrinking violet either.   He was a bit older than one might expect, having been born in 1910.

I am committed to keep trying and hope that the internet can help.

Jack Cottet
E-mail: halligan401@aol.com
204 Martin Rd., Cleveland, NY 13042