Royden Eugene Beebe Jr., was born in Fort Douglas, Utah, in 1908. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy June 11, 1931, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Cavalry.
That September General Beebe entered Primary Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas, and graduated from Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, a year later. On Jan. 25, 1933, he was transferred to the Air Corps. Assigned to the 19th Pursuit Squadron at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in April 1935, he joined the 97th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, N.Y. That July he entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a one year course in meteorology.
Returning to Mitchel Field, he was assigned to the Fifth Bomb Squadron, and in September 1936 was appointed base weather officer for Mitchel Field. In July 1940 he was transferred to the 43rd Bomb Squadron at MacDill Field, Fla., and the following March became assistant to the assistant chief of staff for operations of the Third Air Force at Tampa, Fla.
Going to the Southwest Pacific Theater in May 1942, General Beebe was assistant director of operations for the Allied Air Forces, becoming director of operations that September, and in January 1943 additionally assumed that duty for the Fifth Air Force. Upon the activation of the Far East Air Forces, he assumed the duties of chief of staff for operations, becoming chief of staff of the Allied Air Forces and FEAF on March 27, 1944, and reverting to chief of staff of the Fifth Air Force the following January.
Assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., in June 1945, General Beebe was transferred to the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey at Army Air Force headquarters, Washington, D.C., the following February. That May he was named assistant chief of staff for plans of the Air Defense Command at Mitchel Field, N.Y. Entering the National War College the following September, he graduated in June 1947, and remained there as an instructor.
Transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C., in June 1949, General Beebe was named assistant to the director of the joint staff in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That September he was transferred to the Office of Foreign Military Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and in January 1951 was appointed director of the Office of North Atlantic Treaty Affairs, OSD.
Joining the U.S. Air Forces in Europe in June 1953, General Beebe was named assistant chief of staff for operations.
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal and Commander, British Empire (Military). He is rated a command pilot.
(Up to date as of October 1954)