Prior to US involvement in World War II, President Roosevelt activated the entire National Guard in September 1940. Their report date was October 15, 1940. The 32nd division, the “Red Arrow” division, comprised National Guard members from Wisconsin and Michigan. 

The 32nd Division first reported to Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. On April 22, 1942 the division left San Francisco for Australia. They trained at Camp Woodside and Camp Sandy Creek near Adelaide. In July of 1942, they moved to Camp Tamborine (later called Camp Cable) near Brisbane.

The 32nd division fought in combat campaigns on the islands of New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon from November of 1942 to August of 1945. They were in combat for 654 days, longer than any other US division in World War II. They were the first division to deploy for overseas service. When the war with Japan ended on August 15, 1945, the division remained to serve occupation duty.

Green County soldier, Donald S. Beach, served with Company K of the 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Division prior to and during World War II. 

Donald Stanley Beach was born on July 22, 1921 in Monroe in Green County to parents Stanley and Elsie (Schultz) Beach who were both born in Green County.

From the 1930 US Census, the Beach family lived in Jefferson Township in Green County. The household included father Stanley, mother Elsie, and their children Robert, Donald, Jeanette, Eugene, and Roy. Father Stanley was a farmer.

From the 1940 US Census, the Beach family lived in Monroe. The household included the parents and their children Donald (18), Jeanette, Eugene, Roy. Norene, Wilbert, and Joanna. Father Stanley was a fireman at a hotel, and son Donald was a laborer at a hotel.

On October 15, 1940, Donald S. Beach enlisted for military service with the National Guard in Monroe. He was single with a grammar school education. His civilian occupation was as a farm hand.

From the January 5, 1943 The Capital Times article titled “Soldier From Monroe Killed in War Action,” the articled stated “Sgt. Donald S. Beach, 21, is Monroe’s first soldier to die under actual enemy gunfire in the present world conflict.

“A communication from the war department on Jan. 2 to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Beach of this city, stated he had been killed somewhere in the south Pacific on Dec. 10. He was a member of the national guard company which left Monroe in October of 1940 and has been engaged in warfare in New Guinea for the past several weeks. His family last heard from him in a letter to his parents written Nov. 17...”

From the June 1, 1948 The Capital Times (Madison, Wis.) article titled “Return Bodies of 32 City, Area War Dead- War II Heroes Returned From Pacific Theater,” the article stated that the bodies of those “who lost their lives during World War II are being returned from Manilla aboard the United States army transport Lieutenant W. G. Boyce...” The remains of Sgt. Donald S. Beach were on this transport.

From the July 9, 1948 The Capital Times (Madison, Wis.) article titled “Beach Military Service at Monroe,” the article detailed plans for a military funeral service for Sgt. Donald S. Beach. The article stated that “members of Sgt. Beach’s former national guard unit, Company K, were to participate in the services...”

Survivors besides his parents were “four brothers, Robert, Eugene, Roy, and Wilbur, all of Monroe; three sisters, Norene and Joanne, Monroe; and Mrs. Eldon Wallace, Rock Springs, Wyo.”

Sergeant Donald Stanley Beach received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously. He is listed on the National WWII Honor Roll for Green County. He was reburied in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe. 

Thank you, Sergeant Donald Stanley Beach, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.