11NOV12 / Chuck Humel Mr. Bill Beckett, 92 was honored by VFW Post 1079 as Veteran of the Year. Beckett entered the US Army in February of 1944 and was deployed to the Ardennes in Belgium where he was caught up in the infamous Battle of the Bulge. A small contingent of his 101st Airborne held off a much larger more well equipped German army surrounding the town of Bastonne. He and fellow soldiers had little food or ammunition in the below zero temperatures and little protection from the weather. For thirty-eight days they held off a vastly superior force until reinforcements came in and this battle proved to be the turning point of the war. He continued through France and Germany fighting in many skirmishes including the taking of Berchtesgaden, Hitler's Eagle Nest.
He was awarded the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, Belgian Croix De Guerre Ribbon, France Croix De Guerre Ribbon, European Campaign Ribbon with Three Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Sharpshooter Medal and earned his Parachute Wings.
He has served on the VFW Post 1079 Honor Guard for over 28 years performing at services on Holidays and at funerals for Veterans.

11NOV12 / Chuck Humel Mr. Bill Beckett, 92 was honored by VFW Post 1079 as Veteran of the Year. Beckett entered the US Army in February of 1944 and was deployed to the Ardennes in Belgium where he was caught up in the infamous Battle of the Bulge. A small contingent of his 101st Airborne held off a much larger more well equipped German army surrounding the town of Bastonne. He and fellow soldiers had little food or ammunition in the below zero temperatures and little protection from the weather. For thirty-eight days they held off a vastly superior force until reinforcements came in and this battle proved to be the turning point of the war. He continued through France and Germany fighting in many skirmishes including the taking of Berchtesgaden, Hitler's Eagle Nest.
He was awarded the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, Belgian Croix De Guerre Ribbon, France Croix De Guerre Ribbon, European Campaign Ribbon with Three Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Sharpshooter Medal and earned his Parachute Wings.
He has served on the VFW Post 1079 Honor Guard for over 28 years performing at services on Holidays and at funerals for Veterans.