World War II Combat Veteran Maynard L. Beamesderfer died Thursday. He was 92.
“Beamy” served as a “Pathfinder” with the famed “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne Division during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France as part of Operation: “Overlord”.
The “Pathfinders” were the first combat paratroopers dropped into Normandy and were tasked with the specific mission of setting Homing Devices that would direct incoming aircraft (carrying the invading allied forces), to their intended Drop Zones.
Beamesderfer is also credited with a second combat parachute jump into Holland during Operation: “Market Garden”.
He was one of the many 101st Airborne Division combatants involved in the fierce fighting during the “Battle of the Bulge” in Bastogne, Belgium.
Beamy’s World War II service is highlighted in the publication: First To Jump, authored by New York Times Bestselling Author, Jerome Preisler.
His family told NewsChannel9 he died from heart and kidney failure.
