2Lt E.P. McBeth Biography

2nd Lieutenant Everett Pierce McBeth

World War II

US Army Air Corps
77th Fighter Squadron, March Field, California
Service Number: O-740495
Born: Feb 4, 1919, Akron
Inducted: June 1942
Died: April 1, 1943 in crash of P-38 in California.
Buried: Akron Cemetery

Son of Sylvanus P. and Milda Heckart McBeth of Lindon.

Thursday April 8, 1943 The Akron News-Reporter

Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon in the Methodist Church for Lieut. Everett McBeth, 24, who was fatally injured in an airplane crash last Thursday afternoon, near Murietta Hot Springs, California.

Young McBeth was attached to the 77th fighter squadron at March Field, near Riverside, California, and at the time of the accident which resulted in his death was on a routine training flight. He was training in the army's P-38, the Lockheed Lightning, and was engaged in his fourth tactical maneuver, since reaching the field on March 22. He was alone at the time of the crash.

On March 10, McBeth completed his air force advanced flying school course at Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona, at which time he was commissioned a second lieutenant and received his silver wings.

Following his being commissioned, he obtained a furlough and visited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. McBeth and brother, Dorlan McBeth, in the Lindon community, southwest of Akron. He also is survived by another brother, Ray McBeth, who is stationed with the United States Army at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.

McBeth was a graduate of the Lindon High School. He later attended Colorado State College at Greeley for two years and taught last year at the Woodrow Grade School. He was inducted into the army in June. He was very well liked by a wide circle of friends who deeply regret his untimely death.

By orders of the army, the remains were cremated, It is understood that a short service is to be held at the Lindon school house this Thursday morning. Burial will be in the Akron Cemetery.

Services at the Methodist Church will be in charge of Rev William Knuth, pastor of the Pentecostal church at Deertrail, a friend of the McBeth family, who will be assisted by the Rev. Gilbert T. Thompson, Akron Pentecostal minister.

Thursday April 15, 1943 The Akron News-Reporter

Funeral Rites Held for Everett McBeth

Funeral services for Lieut. Everett P. McBeth were held in the Methodist Church at Akron last Thursday afternoon, April 8, with the Rev. William Knuth, pastor of the Pentecostal Church at Deertrail in charge, assisted by the Rev. Gilbert T. Thompson of Akron.

Mesdames Leonard Batterson and Jesse Batterson of the Akron Pentecostal church sang "In the Upper Garden Fair," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," with Mrs. Leonard Batterson playing the accompaniments.

Pallbearers were neighbors and friends of the deceased and were; Robert Scott, George Trim, Elroy Darrell, Jack Sharp, Dayton Sharp and Eddie Morman.

Alva N. Graves Post No. 66 of the American Legion had charge of the services at the cemetery and the colors were advanced to the front of the church by three soldiers of the present war.

An impressive military tribute was paid the departed when two beautiful silver P-38 Lockheed Lightning fighter planes flew very low over the cemetery twice, as the funeral cortege arrived.

The planes were in half formation showing the absence of one who had met death in the same model plane just one week before.

The firing squad fired three shots over the gave, taps were sounded and the remains were laid to rest with more than 500 sympathizing friends present.

A memorial service was held at the Lindon school house Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, with the Rev. Mr. Knuth in charge.

Mrs. Mildred Baldwin sang the hymns with Mrs. August Engle accompanying.

Everett Pierce McBeth

Second Lieut. Everett Pierce McBeth, son of Sylvanus P. and Milda Heckart McBeth of Lindon, Colorado, was born at Akron, Colorado, February 3, 1919. He grew to manhood at Lindon, having attended Lindon Grade School and graduating from the same high school with the class of 1936. John A. Simpson was superintendent of the Washington County High School System. Mr. Baird preached Everett's Baccalaureate sermon, reading and talking on Romans 13 - the love chapter - bringing as the main thought, "When I became a man I put away childish things" that is being born again of the spirit.

Everett then attended Colorado State College of Education and taught three terms in public schools. In this work he was highly esteemed by students and parents.

The outstanding event of his life took place on June 6, 1942. when he was born again of the spirit, just prior to his departure to enter the service of his country as an aviation cadet.

He graduated as a second lieutenant on March 10, 1943 and returned home for a few days before going to Glendale, Cal. Then he was transferred to beautiful March Field, Riverside, California, where on April 1, his plane crashed and Everett went to a far more beautiful home at the age of 24 years, 1 month and 29 days; there to be with the Pilot that he could feel by his side; there to await our coming.

His cheerful presence was greatly missed in his home when he entered the service, even as his comforting letters shall be.

He leaves his bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. McBeth of Lindon, two brothers, Pvt. Ray L. McBeth of Camp Beauregard, Louisiana and Dorlan E. McBeth, wife and son Edwin Earl of Lindon and many other relatives and friends.

Out of town relatives and friends who attended the funeral included an aunt, Mrs. Lillie Allison of Hutchinson, Kan.; and uncle, M.H. Heckart of Ottumwa, Ia; Mary Ruth McKee, Everett's sweetheart, Mr. and Mrs. McKee of Loveland; Mr. and Mrs. Wooton and son of Fort Collins; and Second Lieut. Merle J. Gilberson who escorted the remains to Akron from Riverside, Cal.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express or thanks to our many friends for the many expressions of love and respect that have been shown us in our time of bereavement. Words cannot express our appreciation for the homes in Akron that were opened to us, the church where we enjoyed the fellowship and where we all should feel at home, for the many beautiful floral expression of love and sympathy, and for those who brought the message by word and song.

Mr. and Mrs. S.P. McBeth; Ray McBeth; Mr. and Mrs. Dorlan McBeth and Edwin Earl; Misses Lola Simpson and Mary Ruth McKee.

Notes:

The Everett P. McBeth photograph at the top of the page was taken for his graduation from Colorado State College and was donated by Buni Riemenschneider of Lindon.

The image with the first newspaper article was donated by Avis Hicks of Akron and is from a copy of a photograph of 2Lt McBeth wearing his brand new pilot wings during his March 1943 home leave about two weeks before he was killed.