James Smith was a Lifetime BVA member. At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. James was deployed to Beirut, Lebanon, where he played a vital role in the aftermath of the 1983 bombing. He was proud of his time as a Marine Drill Instructor and his other service to both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. His bravery and commitment did not go unnoticed. James was a decorated Veteran, earning numerous recognitions, to include various Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons. This also included: Rifle Expert, Pistol Expert, Meritorious Mast, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 stars, Marine Corps Artic Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 stars, and many more for his outstanding contributions. He served time caring for and assisting others after the 911 attack on New York’s Twin Towers. When there was a troop reduction James joined and served in the United States Army.

See full obiturary at: https://summersettfuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Smith-753/#!/Obituary

Friend... Mentor... Coworker... Brother.... Missed Greatly.

Well known to the Mentor Beirut Veterans and Fall Veterans Memorial - Rest in Peace Brother Tom.

1958 Lebanon Veteran

https://behmfuneral.com/obituary/thomas-j-zmecek/ 

Robert Query was with Charlie Company, Weapons Platoon, 1/8 24th MAU.

Full Obituary: https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/austin-tx/robert-query-10906321

Joe graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1959 and continued his education at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, earning a Master’s Degree in 1969. He served in the Navy for 32 years, including command at sea in USS CLAUDE V RICKETTS (DDG-5) and USS VIRGINIA (CGN-38) Following his retirement from the Navy, he continued his federal service at the Department of Energy. Once fully retired, he volunteered with the local AARP tax office, assisting individuals with preparing their income tax returns. He was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a lifelong Navy lacrosse fan.

Full Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/springfield-va/joseph-king-10882135

https://www.amsfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/steven-palmer-1?fbclid=IwAR2y1_TMgxiV3SNHAL69tr9SbRrmCDvZx1fcWOohmXHz6J3269SDUIqmEOo 

https://www.shinnfuneral.com/obituary/jim-looper

"Doc" James "Jim" Looper, a Beirut Veteran, died last year on March 1, 2021. I was good friends with him and we used to talk on the phone once or twice a year. I did wonder why he didn't call me over this past holiday season but didn't think that much about it. I called him yesterday and although his phone still works, it went to voicemail. I then found out that he had passed away. Jim was with ("Guts") Golf Company, BLT 2/8, 22nd MAU. Jim was a corpsman on site at Checkpoint 76 during the firefight on 04 Dec 1983 when eight Marines were killed. I don't have any photos of Jim, but wish I did. If anyone has any they would be appreciated so we can have an entry for him on the BVA's "Final Muster." Jim did not participate to a great deal with remembrances and reunions, claiming he lived so far away and in isolation in Arkansas. He suspected he was the only living Beirut Veteran in the entire state of Arkansas. He will be sorely missed. - Jeff H

https://www.snyderfuneralhome.com/obituary/michael-j-lopatic/ 

Terry Moore, age 59, of Blountville, Tenn., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born August 24, 1962 in Bristol, Va., a son of the late Charlie and Dorothy Vincill Moore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Mike Moore and Chris Moore.

Terry was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and a member of the VFW Post 2116 of Elizabethton. He was a Lance Corporal when he was discharged from the Marines and served in the Motor T Headquarters Battery and Gulf Battery 3/10. He spent four and a half months in Beirut with BLT 3/8.  One year prior to the bombing that left 241 soldiers dead.

You can see the entire obituary here.

Under the orders of President Ronald Reagan John was in command of his embarked Company of the U.S. Marines. That force formed the amphibious assault into the island of Grenada putting down the Soviet backed Cuban force that had overtaken the island. After Grenada the Manitowoc streamed to the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon and landed helos transporting evacuees from the United States Embassy. His naval service ended at Newport, RI, serving as the Station Commander. He retired from the U.S. Navy in December of 1986.

Full Obituary: https://www.ruxfuneralhome.com/obituary/John-Kolata

Wareham-Brigadier General James M. Mead, USMC (Ret.), 85 of Hamilton Beach, Wareham passed away peacefully at Tobey Hospital on Saturday, July 10, 2021. He was the husband of Marylou (Moran) Mead also of Hamilton Beach.

James was born in Boston, the son of the late Phillip G. and Lillian (Spencer) Mead of Somerville MA. He graduated from Malden Catholic High School and attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont NC, on a basketball scholarship. He earned a BS in English from the Abbey in 1957. Additionally, he was awarded a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. All three academic institutions he attended recognized him as a distinguished graduate.

During College, Brigadier General Mead completed USMC Platoon Leaders Class, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. He served his nation with valor and distinction for thirty-one years. A born leader, his military achievements were legion. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1958, he had a lifetime love of aviation, and flew more than 6000 hours in over 30 different aircraft type model series to include the F-9F Cougar, F-4D Skyray, A-4 Skyhawk, F-8 Crusader, and his beloved F-4 Phantom. The General commanded two F-4 Phantom squadrons (VMFA-251 and VMFA-232) and Marine Aircraft Group 31. Serving two tours in combat during the Vietnam War, he flew 390 combat missions. In 1982-1983, then Colonel Mead, served as the Commanding Officer of the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit and subsequently the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit. During his command both units comprised the United States contingent of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in Beirut Lebanon. After his promotion to Brigadier General, James served at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington DC, then as the Commander of Marine Corps Air Bases East which was his final assignment in the USMC before his retirement in 1988. His decorations included, the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit (3 Awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and many others.

Brigadier General Mead is survived by his children: Matthew Mead and his wife Danielle of SC, Michael Mead and his wife Stephanie of NC, Mitzi Mead-Smith and her husband Tory Smith of VA. and his stepson Kevin Grant and his wife Ashley Grant of Marion, MA. He was the brother of Ann Lane of MA, Grandfather of Dr. Kara Regan-Lawrence, Jake Mead, J.J. Regan, Spencer Mead, Michael Mead, 2nd Lt Max Mead USA, Patrick Mead and Samantha Mead and he is also survived by 10 great grandchildren and many loving nieces’ nephews’ relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife of 49 years Patricia C. (Covington) Mead of Belmont NC, his daughter Melanie Regan, and his sister Phyllis Piscopo.

Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday July 15, in the Wareham Village Funeral Home 5 Center Street Wareham. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. His funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday July 16, in Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 94 High Street Wareham, Military Honors will follow, please arrive at church by 10:45. Burial will be held at a date to be determined in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington, MA.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Arlington VA 22314, www.mcsf.org

I‘m very sad to advise that Mary Ellen Jackowski has succumbed 7+ years after being diagnosed in 2013 with a rare progressive brain disease (CBD).

She was fully aware of the her terminal situation from the beginning and fought as best she could to maintain herself with the assistance of her caretaker husband John and a home health aide.

Physical disabilities progressed and last week she was accepted into The High Peaks Home Hospice Care Program. She died in her sleep the morning of 4/22.

At her direction, her brain has been donated to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center in Boston, Mass.for Corticobasal degeneration research.

She regretted not being well enough to attend the Beirut Memorial Services recently and appreciated you making the videos available.She missed seeing you and the many friends we have made over the years.

We will hold a memorial service to celebrate and honor her life in the near future.

Semper Fi,

John Jackowski
Proud Father of
Cpl. James Jackowski
KIA 10/23/83 Beirut, Lebanon

Eric's son Daniel contacted the BVA family about his dad.

He wanted to let us know that Eric passed away today. He was sick in the last couple of years and it finally took its toll.

"My dad wrote a lot of books about a lot of people, but there was no group that he was more in touch with than yours. I know that he touched many of your lives and many of you touched his. He saw you all as brothers, even though he didn't serve, he loved you all."

- Daniel

It is with deep sorrow and great relief that our dear father, Ernest “John” Beaman passed onto something better after a brave and fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. In the end, we lost our beautiful father, but we are happy to announce that the cancer that attacked him did not survive the attempt.

E.J. Beaman was born in New York, graduated from BYU, served a mission in Scotland, and honorably served our country as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He had a passion for flying, family, faith, and firing guns!

Joey Allen Pauley, 55 of Sharon died December 28, 2017 at home. 

He was a retired deck hand from Amherst River Pilots, Belle and was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of the multinational force sent to be peacemakers during the Lebanese Civil War where he survived the Beirut barracks bombings of 1983. 

On Sunday February 19, 2017 one of our Marine Brothers and a long standing Board Member of the Beirut Veterans of America passed away. 

Glenn Dolphin served as a 1st LT in the role of Asst Communications Officer for HQ 24th MAU during its deployment in Beirut from May to November of 1983. He authored an account of his experience in Beirut in a book titled 24 MAU 1983. In the book he shared his heart, humor, and commitment to duty. 

As with all of those who have graced our paths and paved the way for others to enjoy our freedom, we will miss Glenn's presence with us. We will pick up his banner and carry on the mission to remember all our fallen Brothers.

We have sent our condolences to Glenn's family on behalf of the BVA. You can find more information about the services for him and his life at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/aikenstandard/obituary.aspx?pid=184198177.

Semper Fi,

The BVA Officers and Board

MGySgt Nelson Bywaters USMC (ret) passed away on Saturday evening February 4, 2017.

Bywaters served in Beirut, Lebanon with the 22nd MAU as a member of the Shore Party unit, commonly known as "Red Patches". Before Lebanon, he alson participated in the invasion of Grenada in 1983.

MGySgt Bywaters made a career of the U.S. Marin Corps, serving from May 4, 1968 to 30 October 1995.

Philip Warren Alexander, 53 of Phoenix City, Alabama passed away Monday, December 26, 2016. Funeral services with military honors will be held 2:00 P.M. EST Friday in Lakewood Hall at Striffler-Hamby, Phoenix City, AL Burial will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. 

Mr. Alexander was born April 20, 1963 in Fort Benning, Georgia; son of the late Fred Alexander and Lucille Johnson Nicholson of Phoenix City, AL. He is a Marine Corp veteran who served in Beirut. He is currently serving in the Army National Guard where he served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a member of the V.F.W.. He is employed with Heat Craft Corp in Columbus, GA. 

Other than his mother, Lucille Nicholson, he is survived by his wife, Lisa Alexander of Phoenix City, AL, daughter; Amy Grindle (Jeremy) of Alabaster, AL, son; Joshua Alexander (Macy), daughters; Jessica Phillips and Juliann Faulkner both of Phoenix City, AL; brother, Rick Alexander (Susan) of Chapin, SC, grandchildren, Nathan Grindle, Taylor Grindle, Saphirra Alexander, Logan Alexander, Shea Grindle, Castiel Alexander, niece, Lauren Alexander and nephew, Ryan Alexander.