Vietnam tribute: Kenneth Bryant Beckman

The Moving Wall - Vietnam War Memorial will come to Shelbyville from Oct. 29 through Nov. 3, and will be set up at Riverside Park for viewing. This moving tribute, a replica of the wall that stands in Washington, D.C., memorializes American service members who died during the Vietnam War. The Moving Wall travels throughout the U.S. and is set up in communities that were home to some of those whose names are inscribed on the wall. Bedford County was the home to 12 men who died for their country during the conflict. Leading up to October, the Times-Gazette will pay tribute to the fallen men during the month that each was killed. The first of the 12 is honored here.

Kenneth Bryant Beckman

Kenneth Bryant Beckman was a native of Bedford County, born October 12, 1948. He graduated from Shelbyville Central High School in 1966.

Beckman went into the service on April 3, 1968 and took basic training at Paris Island, S.C. He was one of eight permitted to make private first class of the 80 in his platoon, and on Dec. 1 he was promoted to lance corporal. Beckman completed infantry training at Camp LeJeune, N.C. and was sent to Vietnam on Sept. 30, 1969. Beckman was fatally wounded on Jan. 11, 1970 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam, as a result of hostile ground small arms fire. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his actions in Vietnam.