John K. Beling
John Kingsman Beling (October 29, 1919 – November 5, 2010) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy whose final assignment was as commander, Iceland Defense Force in the early 1970s. Commissioned in 1942, he served as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific Theater in World War II, and was seriously burned when his aircraft was shot down during the Marianas Campaign. He made a full recovery from his injuries, and went on to serve in a variety of staff positions, attended the Naval War College, and commanded three attack squadrons and two ships.
John K. Beling | |
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Rear Admiral John K. Beling, USN (ret.) (as commanding officer of USS Forrestal) | |
| Birth name | John Kingsman Beling |
| Born | October 29, 1919 New York City, New York |
| Died | November 5, 2010 (aged 91) Reston, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1973 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Attack Squadron 72 Attack Squadron 43 Technical Branch, Atomic Energy Division USS Alstede USS Forrestal Air, Surface and Electronic Warfare Division Iceland Defense Force |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Marianas campaign Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Medal Air Medal with two gold stars Presidential Unit Citation |
Beling was commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) at the time of the July 29, 1967 fire that killed 134 sailors and officers, injured 161, and caused $72 million (1967 dollars) in damage to the ship. The Navy investigation into the fire cleared Beling of wrongdoing. After retiring from the Navy as a rear admiral in 1973, Beling worked as a Department of Defense civilian, as well as for a defense contractor, before retiring for good in 1985. He died November 5, 2010, in Reston, Virginia.