Ira Vester Beard

Korean War
Service #AF18341798
RankStaff Sergeant U.S. Air Force
Date of DeathMarch 18 1953
National Defense Service Medal
Staff Sergeant Beard was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Notes
Staff Sergeant Beard was a gunner/technician of an all weather bomber, RB-36H, with the 718th Squadron, 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing based at Rapid City Air Force Base, South Dakota. On March 18, 1953, his aircraft was flying low on a simulated combat mission from Lajes, Azores to Rapid City when it struck a 896 foothill, killing all 23 on board.