Born at Westminister, Maryland, May 9, 1879, Beck graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1901, the General Staff School, France, 1918, the Army War College, 1926. He was a Distinguished Graduate, School of the Line, 1921. Married: Jessie Hamilton, November 18, 1908 and married a decond time to Mary Kelly Mayer, Nov 1, 1958.
Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Cavalry, 1901 and was promoted the through grades to Brigadier General, 1936, Major General 1938. He served in the Philippines 1903-05 and 1909-11. He participated in Aisne-Marne, Oise Aisne Meuse Argonne offensives, World War One with Army of Occupation, Germany, 1918-19. Executive Officer, War Plans Division, General Staff, 1920. Instructor, the Cavalry School, 1926-30. Instructor, Command and General Staff School, 1926-30. Instructor, Army War College, 1931-35. Commanding General, 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1936-38. Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations and Training Division, War Department General Staff, 1938-39. Retired 1939.
Awarded: Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Palm, Officer of Legion of Honor (France). Lutheran. Mason. Home: Washington, DC Died: July 4, 1970 and was buried in Section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery.
His first wife, Jessie Hamilton Beck, who died on January 4, 1956, is buried with him.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard