- SURNAME
Beynon
- FORENAME
Willard W. (Bud)
- UNIT
OSS Jedburgh Teams Clarence + Stanley II
- RANK
Master Sergeant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Bronze Star
- PLACE
Holland 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
w/t operator
I just wanted to share with you the passing of a true American hero... and my mentor and beloved friend.
Thank You, Al Burian (ret lt/cmdr ~ Scranton PD)
View Willard Beynon's Obituary on scrantontimes.com and share memories
Willard W. Beynon, 87, of West Scranton, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospice. His wife, the former Rachel Allen, died in 1992. Born in Scranton, son of the
www.legacy.com
Willard W. Beynon
Willard W. Beynon, 87, of West Scranton, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospice. His wife, the former Rachel Allen, died in 1992.
Born in Scranton, son of the late Richard and Nell Beynon, he retired from the Scranton Police Department in 1989 as captain and training officer after 42 years of service. He started the department's first SWAT team, bomb squad and dive team. He was a security consultant for Charmin Paper Products at Mehoopany for 38 years, retiring in 2007. Willard also served as civil defense director for Lackawanna County from 1957 to 1976. He was a 1940 graduate of Scranton Technical High School, a graduate of King's College and the State Police Academy, Hershey.
During World War II, Willard served as a master sergeant intelligence officer in the OCS in a newly created unit, the Jedburghs, the most intensely secret warriors of World War II, working in three-man teams parachuted behind enemy lines in the Netherlands and France. After the liberation of Europe, he volunteered to serve in the China, Burma and India campaigns in special forces. He received three Bronze Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters among other medals and ribbons. He was presented the Bronze Oak Leaf and British Campaign Star by the British government and the Dutch Resistance Cross by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. He was featured in several books written about the Jedburghs after the war.
He was a member of Embury United Methodist Church, E.B. Jermyn Lodge FOP, Hyde Park Lodge 339 F&AM and the Keystone Consistory.
The family wishes to extend its thanks to Mary Solomon, Drs. Willey, Moorandino, Eagen and Getts, Mercy Hospital, Care Givers of America and Mercy Home Health and Hospice for the care given their loved one.
Surviving are a daughter, Linell Donahue, Scranton; a son, Richard Beynon and wife, Debbie, Middletown, Pa.; and two grandchildren, Brian Donahue and wife, Diane, Scranton, and their children, Matthew, Noah and Emily; and Tim Donahue and wife, Nicole, Florida, and their child, Tristian.
The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Davies and Jones Funeral Chapel Inc., 135 S. Main Ave., by the Rev. Dr. William Lewis, retired Methodist clergyman and nephew, Dallas. Interment, Fairview Memorial park, Elmhurst. Friends may call Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. Masonic services, 7:30.
Published in Scranton Times on February 16, 2011
Last edited by a moderator:
