Beeson, Duane Willard “Bee”, born 16-07-1922 in Boise, Idaho,
to Carl Beeson (1889–1964), was a World War War II fighter pilot and a flying ace.
He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force
in 1941, assigned to RAF 71st “Eagle” Squadron,
later transferred to 334th Squadron, 4th FG/8th USAAF. Nicknamed “Bee”, he decorated his aircraft as “Boise Bee.”
Beeson was one of the few 4th FG pilots to achieve real success in the P-47, scoring 12 victories in the Thunderbolt. He was promoted to CO of the 334th Squadron
on 15-03-1944. During World War II, the 334th had a total of 395 kills against the German Luftwaffe
; 210 kills in the air and 185 on the ground. Beeson scored his remaining kills in a P-51 Mustang. Like Richard Dick Bong
Beeson was a consistent fighter pilot, scoring single, or double, victories many times. Beeson was one of ten United States Army Air Force pilots who became an ace in two different types of fighter aircraft. Beeson was made commanding officer of B Flight, at the age of 22. 










six aces Blakeslee commanded. (Clockwise from lower left) Lieutenant Colonel. Duane Beeson, CO, 334th FS; Captain. Nick “Cowboy” Megura;
1st Lieutenant John Trevor Godfrey; Major James A. Goodson,
CO, 336th FS; (center) Captain Don Gentile




Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO, nickname “The Camel”,
visits with former members of the Eagle Sqns, now part of the 4th Fighter Group at Debden. In the picture are “Mike” Sobanski (2nd from left?) “Goody” Goodson, (3rd); Beeson, (6th, head showing) then Trenchard. Anyone know who the rest are?
visits with former members of the Eagle Sqns, now part of the 4th Fighter Group at Debden. In the picture are “Mike” Sobanski (2nd from left?) “Goody” Goodson, (3rd); Beeson, (6th, head showing) then Trenchard. Anyone know who the rest are?



Death and burial ground of Beeson, Duane Willard “Bee”.
He came back home and married, but soon afterward Beeson became violently ill. Doctors diagnosed a brain tumor.










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