USS SLC...Enlisted Navy...James Franklin Beard, GM2c

James F. Beard passed away on July 14th, 2008

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Sept. 21st, 2002

Born on April 30th, 1922 in Houston, TX.
Served in the USN from Sept. of 1942 until Oct. of 1945

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Update Oct. 7th, 2002

I was in the Sixth Division, Gunner's Mate 2c from 1942 to 1945.

I was operated on for appendicitis while we were at sea somewhere between Pearl Harbor & the Aleutian Islands on March 14th, 1943. Dr. Raymond N. Whitehead, Lt. did the surgery and the Captain Bertram J. Rodgers was at the helm. I went through the operation fine and was recovering in Sick Bay when we were in the Battle of the Komandorski Island Battle. I was not able to go to my battle station. They sent me to the Ward Room where the rest of the sick and injured were.

After I recovered, I was assigned to the five inch gun on the starboard side aft. Kenneth W. Boles, GM2c was on the other five inch gun on starboard side aft. We were very fast loaders. The crew would come aft and watch us load the guns.

I received one Silver & one Bronze Star. I think that amounts to 8 battle stars. I received a commendation for Outstanding Performance of duty from the Commanding Officer, E. A. Mitchell. I received a Commendation from the Commanding Officer, E. A. Mitchell, for keeping the "After Five Inch guns" in good working order during the occupation of Okinawa.
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Contributions to the SLC Website:
#36 Picture with the 6th Division, 1944-Group ID#110
History of the SLC from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Copy of the article by John Bishop...My Speed Zero
SLC Deck Logs Dec. 1942  March 14th, 1943-Operation