Composer. Real name William Gordon Beecher Jr. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he was an author and songwriter who is best remembered for his musical arrangements done in collaboration with his partner Johnny Noble. He served as director of the USNA Musical Clubs from 1933 to 1935, and was a member of ASCAP beginning in 1944. His compositions include, "A Song Of Old Hawaii", "Sing An American Song", "Counting On You", "All Pau Now", "Nimitz, Halsey and Me", "Up And At 'Em, Navee", "Just A Happy Kama'aina" and "The Ramparts We Watch". A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the National War College, Beecher served as a Lieutenant during the Second World War. During the war, he was commander of of a destroyer squadron, and also fought at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa (for which he won the Legion of Merit Award). He also served as Commander of the Middle East Force in 1954, and as the Chief of Naval Information from 1954 to 1955. Beecher retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral in 1955. His military career lasted a total of 34 years. He died in 1973, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Composer. Real name William Gordon Beecher Jr. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he was an author and songwriter who is best remembered for his musical arrangements done in collaboration with his partner Johnny Noble. He served as director of the USNA Musical Clubs from 1933 to 1935, and was a member of ASCAP beginning in 1944. His compositions include, "A Song Of Old Hawaii", "Sing An American Song", "Counting On You", "All Pau Now", "Nimitz, Halsey and Me", "Up And At 'Em, Navee", "Just A Happy Kama'aina" and "The Ramparts We Watch". A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the National War College, Beecher served as a Lieutenant during the Second World War. During the war, he was commander of of a destroyer squadron, and also fought at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa (for which he won the Legion of Merit Award). He also served as Commander of the Middle East Force in 1954, and as the Chief of Naval Information from 1954 to 1955. Beecher retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral in 1955. His military career lasted a total of 34 years. He died in 1973, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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