Corporal Byron Franklin (B.F.) Beard, Jr.

Corporal Byron Franklin Beard, Jr.

After 84 years, Corporal Byron Franklin (B.F.) Beard, Jr., is coming home to be laid to rest.

B.F. was born to Byron Franklin Beard, Sr. and Virginia Elizabeth (Taylor) Beard on September 6, 1918. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his eight siblings: sisters Mary Beard Osborne, Ruth Beard Walters Strader, Ines Beard Wright; brothers Roy, Mark, John K, Charles, and Glenn.

B. F. graduated from Dungannon High School in 1937. He joined the Army on May 1, 1940, and served in the Philippines with the U.S. Army Air Forces, 409th Signal Company, Aviation. Among his many decorations are the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals.

After Pearl Harbor was bombed, the Japanese began a full-scale invasion of the Philippines. B.F. was among the 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war that were subjected to the infamous 65-mile Bataan Death March to the Japanese prison camp. He died there on July 22, 1942, at age 23. His remains were never identified, and he was declared POW/MIA. On January 13, 2026, his remains were identified through DNA testing.

B.F. leaves behind to cherish his memory several nieces and nephews: Betsy Beard Smith, Gwen Wright Pitts, Carolyn Wright Stoff, Jan Beard Stokes, John and Bob Walters, Byron Beard, Wayne Beard, Larry and Fred Beard.

Deceased nephews are Jim and Bill Osborne, Charles Hobart Beard, and Everette Glenn Beard.

B.F. was simply a man of honor who did his duty to his country and was a member of the Greatest Generation but never received a chance to pursue his full potential.

The family would like to thank the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for their perseverance in working to identify and return B.F.’s remains to his family.

B.F. will be laid to rest with full military honors provided by the U.S. Army Fort Lee, VA Honor Guard on November 11, 2026, at 1:00pm at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, VA. Pastor Jeff Deboard and Pastor Scott Vermillion will officiate. Jon Shell will be playing the bagpipes. Friends and community members are welcome to gather at 12:45 pm at the cemetery for the graveside service.