8 October 2016
Visit of Richard J. Beeson, son of 2nd Lt. Robert Beeson
322nd Bomb Group
9th Air Force
Warluis and Tillé (Oise)
Copyright © 2016 - Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés- All rights reserved -
En français 
Just a few days after the 24 September ceremony honoring the American airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group, we were honored to welcome Richard J. Beeson and his wife Janice. Living in Bradford, Ohio, they had expressed a wish to visit Beauvais. In partnership with the Beauvais-Warluis Aviation Museum, we organized their visit throughout the day.
Richard's father, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Beeson, was a B-26 Marauder pilot. In September 1944, he was based at Beauvais-Tillé airfield, from where he flew countless war missions. The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was awarded to him after his 14th mission on 9 August 1944. On that day, while bombing a German warship in Brest harbor, his aircraft, the Pistol Packin' Mama, was severely damaged by Flak. He nevertheless managed to land at Banville, Normandy.
Robert L. Beeson died in December 1998 at the age of 77.
Below right (inset) is S/Sgt. Robert Schlotterbeck, who also visited us in May 2013. He flew several missions with 2nd Lt. Beeson.
Robert Schlotterbeck visiting the Beauvais-Warluis Aviation Museum in May 2013.
The tour began at the Beauvais-Warluis Aviation Museum. Among the many photos dedicated to the presence of the 322nd Bomb Group's aircraft at the Tillé airfield, Richard Beeson was able to recognize the Pistol Packin' Mama, which his father flew during his missions.
2nd Lt. Robert L. Beeson and the Pistol Packin' Mama.
In front of the display case commemorating the presence of the 322nd Bomb Group at Beauvais-Tillé.
We then went to the newly installed memorial in the center of the village of Tillé to take some souvenir photos.
The tour then continued to the outskirts of the hamlet of Morlaine, near the current airport. Today, old concrete runways and various buildings still bear witness to the German and then American military presence during the Second World War.
This wonderful day ended at the Beauvais-Tillé Flying Club. Richard Beeson, a former military pilot, instructor, and then airline pilot, told us he had logged an impressive 22,000 flight hours. Now a member of the Commemorative Air Force, his extensive knowledge recently led him to participate in the restoration of a North American B-25 Mitchell.
Before leaving us, delighted by his visit and filled with immense gratitude, Richard Beeson strongly encouraged us to continue our work of remembrance.