This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Nicole Summers, MMFN
to remember
Beck, Claude Iziah, Jr., CTM.
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Casualty Info
Home Town San Francisco, CA
Last Address 211 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA
Casualty Date Dec 02, 1943
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Capelin (SS-289) began her second war patrol on 17 November 1943, but was never heard from after she left for her patrol. Although Japanese records suggest an attack was made on 23 November, the information is incomplete, and the cause of the Capelin's loss is unknown. Chief Torpedoman's Mate Beck was listed as Missing in Action and officially declared dead 10 January 1946.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 3806456
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Chief Torpedoman
Division: U.S.S. Salmon (SS-182)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Torpedoman Claude I. Beck (NSN: 3806456), United States Navy, for meritorious conduct and outstanding performance of duty in the U.S.S. SALMON (SS-182) during four War Patrols of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters which resulted in the sinking of one enemy cruiser and one destroyer and seriously damaging another enemy cruiser with two torpedo hits. As Torpedoman's Mate in charge of the forward torpedo room and by his thorough knowledge of his duties he contributed in a large measure to the success of his submarine in inflicting damage on the enemy. His conduct throughout these patrols was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Philippine Islands Campaign (1941-42)
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
May / 1942
Description The Philippines Campaign (Filipino:Labanan sa Pilipinas (1941–1942)) or the Battle of the Philippines was the invasion of the Philippines by Japan in 1941–1942 and the defense of the islands by Filipino and United States forces.
The defending forces outnumbered the Japanese invaders by 3 to 2, but were a mixed force of non-combat experienced regular, national guard, constabulary, and newly created Commonwealth units; the Japanese used their best first-line troops at the outset of the campaign. The Japanese 14th Army also concentrated its forces in the first month of the campaign, enabling it to swiftly overrun most of Luzon.
The Japanese high command, believing they had won the campaign, made a strategic decision to advance by a month their timetable of operations in Borneo and Indonesia, withdrawing their best division and the bulk of their airpower in early January 1942. This, coupled with the decision of the defenders to withdraw into a defensive holding position in the Bataan Peninsula, enabled the Americans and Filipinos to successfully hold out for four more months.