TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
(above) Greg Beck during USMC basic training in February of 1969. (top right) Greg Beck in Vietnam with his machine gun team in 1970. (right) Greg Beck at Landing Zone Ross located in the Quế Sơn Valley in central Vietnam.
I n the early hours of New Year’s Day 1969, as the world celebrated the dawn of a new year, one man embarked on a journey that would define his life, reshape his values, and inspire a deep commitment to his country. Meet Greg Beck, a United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran whose story is a testament to duty, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism. For Beck, the decision to join the military was not one he took lightly. He felt an innate sense of duty and a debt to his nation that called him to service. “I owed America,” he reflects. However, his family’s reaction was less than enthusiastic; they worried about his safety and the uncertain future awaiting him. Despite their concerns, Beck’s driving commitment to answer the call of duty inspired his immediate enlistment in the USMC upon his graduation from Genoa High School in 1968. At Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, he trained
as a motor vehicle operator. Immediately following training, he landed, boots on the ground, in Vietnam on July 9, 1969, where he was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He engaged enemy combatants in Operation Pipestone Canyon from July 25 through November 7, 1969, where 71 Marines were killed in action, 852 People’s Army of Vietnam/Viet Cong were killed, and 58 soldiers were captured. His experiences in the war-torn country left an indelible mark on his soul. “I met lots of brothers by other mothers,” he recalls. “Other than that, war is hard to describe. It is ninety percent boredom and ten percent terror.” Without delving into graphic details, he conveys the haunting nature of his wartime experiences with the words, “I’ve seen things that people should not have to see.” Beck’s service in Vietnam came at a significant cost. He lost friends and
comrades, leaving a lasting bitterness. The wounds of war, both seen and unseen, are scars that never truly fade. However, their sacrifices strengthened Beck’s commitment to his values and his love for his country. “I believe my values were pretty well set when I went into the service, but my service certainly cemented those and increased my patriotism and love of country.” Upon his discharge, Beck returned home, where he went to work at International Paper Mill as an apprentice in 1973. In 2014, after 41 dedicated years, he retired as a lab technician. Retirement was just the beginning of a new phase in his lifelong commitment to serving his country. He continued to stand by his fellow veterans, offering mentorship, aid, comfort, and camaraderie. Greg is a well-known and respected leader in this community and has actively served in numerous veteran organizations. Friend, fellow retired United States Air Force veteran, and Miller County Veteran
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