Fred D. Beans

Fred Dale Beans (November 3, 1906 – September 13, 1980) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted as commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion during the Bougainville Campaign. He was the father of James D. Beans, who also served in the marines and rose to the rank of brigadier general.

During his studies at the Naval Academy, Beans played for Navy Midshipmen football and also for the Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse team. He finally graduated on June 5, 1930, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date. As any other newly commissioned officer, he was sent for further officer training to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Beans graduated from the school during the following summer and was subsequently sent within expeditionary forces to Nicaragua to fight rebel forces. He distinguished himself during his service there and received Nicaraguan Cross of Valor with Diploma.

Upon his return to the United States, Beans was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on May 29, 1934, and assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser . Beans was ordered for instruction to Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and graduated in June 1937. He was promoted to the rank of captain on June 30, 1937, and assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment for expeditionary duties in China. Beans was stationed in Shanghai and participated in the defense of the International Settlement during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

When the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Major Bernard W. Green, was killed in action, Beans took over the command of the badly shaken battalion and accomplished the mission of capturing the enemy bastion of Mount Yaedake. For this act of leadership and valor, he was decorated with the Silver Star.