Fran Bean Bruce was kind enough to inform us of the death of Wally Bean on January 7, 2021. Wally, a guest member of our website, was a member of the Bishop Barry class of 1960. Our sympathies to the family. RIP Wally.
Wally was one of the Best!
I have known Wally and Fran, since grade school. I will attempt to tell a tongue-in-cheek story about an adventure I had with Wally Bean.
Like many of us young men in the 60's, we sought safety from the Draft and the Vietnam War.
But when push came to shove, Tampa Bay Reserve Units offered some options. So some Military History about Spc 5 Wally Bean, a fellow Veteran Brother: Most of us joined the reserves in the early or mid-1960s. It was a piece of cake, and we would never be called to active duty as an Army Small Boat Unit.
Long story, after about 4-5 years we got called up! Wow, what a shock to say the least.
Wally sailed with the Army Reserves from St. Petersburg, known as the 231st LCM Boat Unit, to Vietnam in May 1968. It was a fun-filled 18 Months, ultimately spending a year living with six guys per boat (19 LCM Landing Craft Boats) with a handbuilt plywood cabin on the rear of this 28' x74ft steel hull. The mission "that Wally could not refuse" drum roll - deliver Aimmo and Beer to all the out bases in the Mekong Delta without losing a man. His Boat was named the "FART" and Cockswain (Small Boat Cpt.) Bean fulfilled his mission and brought his crew back to St. Pete, basically unscathed from enemy fire. After leaving Vietnam, the Army did an inventory of Beer Pallets lost. After Army Audit, some "bean" counter determined over 400 Pallets of Beer had been lost at Sea (Wonder How That Happened, joke!)
The Army Brass noted that losing several tons of beer was a small price to pay. Because of the level-headed leaders like Cockswain Wally Bean with his Superior Seamanship and multi-talented crew, the Company received a Presidental Unit Citation for moving the most cargo thru enemy-infested waterways in 1968-69.
Wally's said his boat only misplaced /lost about 10,000 cans of beer only to be outdone by Kim Smiths' crew class of Bogie 1963 running Miss Budweiser. He noted that his crew has a strict diet of 12 packs per man per day. They were very healthy and in excellent shape on return to the states. We heard about Wally passing in January and have not raised a glass to this Hero and others because of the COVID. The survivors of the 231st have some catching up to do. We lost 5 of our Vets in 2021 so far—most from Agent Orange Complications & and one COVID.
Rest in Peace Wally and all the men who have passed from the Army 231st Reserves Boat Unit St. Petersburg and Tampa. The unit has a website at www.CombatVets.com/231st if you are interested in Vietnam War Stories.
(Over 750 photos and five movies).
This remembrance was w\itten with motivation from several glasses of wine.
My English teacher felt sorry for me and wanted me to move on.
Tom Twitty
I'm so sorry to hear about Wally . I've heard lots of sea stories, my husband was on carriers during Vietnam but this one about Wally, written by Tom Twitty is the best.
Thanks for this story, Tom, your Army spelling of "coxswain" in noted but hey maybe it'll catch on.
Wally was in fine company with you 231st guys, much respect to all who worked those infested waterways of the Mekong Delta and may your teammate Wally rest in peace.
Comment from Vesta Shaul: YES, Tom Twitter. You said it BEST. As a wife of one of those 231st soldiers
I love what you have contributed. It is a happy story added to a sad loss. The Viet Nam times were and are very memorable indeed. But Hawaii was great! And, oh, the homecoming holds so many unbelievably good memories.
Thomas Twitty
Wally was one of the Best!
I have known Wally and Fran, since grade school. I will attempt to tell a tongue-in-cheek story about an adventure I had with Wally Bean.
Like many of us young men in the 60's, we sought safety from the Draft and the Vietnam War.
But when push came to shove, Tampa Bay Reserve Units offered some options. So some Military History about Spc 5 Wally Bean, a fellow Veteran Brother: Most of us joined the reserves in the early or mid-1960s. It was a piece of cake, and we would never be called to active duty as an Army Small Boat Unit.
Long story, after about 4-5 years we got called up! Wow, what a shock to say the least.
Wally sailed with the Army Reserves from St. Petersburg, known as the 231st LCM Boat Unit, to Vietnam in May 1968. It was a fun-filled 18 Months, ultimately spending a year living with six guys per boat (19 LCM Landing Craft Boats) with a handbuilt plywood cabin on the rear of this 28' x74ft steel hull. The mission "that Wally could not refuse" drum roll - deliver Aimmo and Beer to all the out bases in the Mekong Delta without losing a man. His Boat was named the "FART" and Cockswain (Small Boat Cpt.) Bean fulfilled his mission and brought his crew back to St. Pete, basically unscathed from enemy fire. After leaving Vietnam, the Army did an inventory of Beer Pallets lost. After Army Audit, some "bean" counter determined over 400 Pallets of Beer had been lost at Sea (Wonder How That Happened, joke!)
The Army Brass noted that losing several tons of beer was a small price to pay. Because of the level-headed leaders like Cockswain Wally Bean with his Superior Seamanship and multi-talented crew, the Company received a Presidental Unit Citation for moving the most cargo thru enemy-infested waterways in 1968-69.
Wally's said his boat only misplaced /lost about 10,000 cans of beer only to be outdone by Kim Smiths' crew class of Bogie 1963 running Miss Budweiser. He noted that his crew has a strict diet of 12 packs per man per day. They were very healthy and in excellent shape on return to the states. We heard about Wally passing in January and have not raised a glass to this Hero and others because of the COVID. The survivors of the 231st have some catching up to do. We lost 5 of our Vets in 2021 so far—most from Agent Orange Complications & and one COVID.
Rest in Peace Wally and all the men who have passed from the Army 231st Reserves Boat Unit St. Petersburg and Tampa. The unit has a website at www.CombatVets.com/231st if you are interested in Vietnam War Stories.
(Over 750 photos and five movies).
This remembrance was w\itten with motivation from several glasses of wine.
My English teacher felt sorry for me and wanted me to move on.
Tom Twitty
Pam Kleiderer (Fragomene)
I'm so sorry to hear about Wally . I've heard lots of sea stories, my husband was on carriers during Vietnam but this one about Wally, written by Tom Twitty is the best.
Troy Nicks
Thanks for this story, Tom, your Army spelling of "coxswain" in noted but hey maybe it'll catch on.
Wally was in fine company with you 231st guys, much respect to all who worked those infested waterways of the Mekong Delta and may your teammate Wally rest in peace.
Carol Hill (Gruszka)
Comment from Vesta Shaul: YES, Tom Twitter. You said it BEST. As a wife of one of those 231st soldiers
I love what you have contributed. It is a happy story added to a sad loss. The Viet Nam times were and are very memorable indeed. But Hawaii was great! And, oh, the homecoming holds so many unbelievably good memories.