Charles Beecham

Lieutenant Colonel Charles N. Beecham was born in Minco, Oklahoma. He graduated from the Air Corps Pilot Training program in 1943 and flew 50 missions as a B-17G Aircraft Commander with the 15th Air Force in Europe.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals. He flew 212 missions as a C-54 Aircraft Commander in the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49. A flight and academic instructor in the B-47 and B-52 training programs, he was an RB-47 Aircraft Commander. His last tour of duty was as Sr. Rep. and Test Director at the Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin AFB, before retiring in 1969.

He has an MFA degree from the University of Northern Colorado and his art and sculpture is exhibited in the United States Air Force Museum, and on Gov. and Mrs. Keating's 2001 Christmas card, among others. He was named El Reno Citizen of the Year twice, and was selected to represent the United States by the Eisenhower Center Staff for an exhibition at the Institute on Study of the Consequences of War in Austria in 1995. In 2001, Cameron University honored him with its Distinguished Alumni Award.