Walter Joseph (Wally) Beall – Légion d’Honneur
Wally Beall’s wartime journey is a powerful testament to the courage and resilience of those who took part in the D-Day landings. Serving as both a Wireman and Port Oerlikon Gunner aboard Landing Craft Tank (LCT) 836, Wally played a vital role in one of the most pivotal military operations of the Second World War.
On 6th June 1944, LCT 836 was tasked with delivering Sherman tanks to Utah Beach in Normandy, providing critical armoured support for the advancing United States forces. Under intense enemy fire and dangerous sea conditions, Wally and his crew helped ensure that these tanks reached the front lines – a contribution that undoubtedly saved lives and pushed the Allied campaign forward.
A photograph from his service years shows a determined and courageous young man. Decades later, Wally was pictured at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, proudly wearing his medals and Royal Navy beret. This poignant image serves as a symbol of honour, remembrance, and enduring service.
Although much about the crew of LCT 836 remains to be discovered, Wally’s story connects the past to the present. His presence at both Utah Beach and the Royal Albert Hall reminds us of the personal, human experiences behind the vast scale of history.
Wally’s desire to serve began early, but at the outbreak of World War II, he worked in a reserved occupation, manufacturing lenses for binoculars and naval instruments. It wasn’t until 1943 that he was finally able to enlist in the Royal Navy, where he trained and served as an electrician.
Assigned to one of the first landing craft to cross the English Channel for D-Day, Wally recalled the chaos and danger of the initial landings on Utah Beach amidst heavy shelling. Over the following days, his craft made numerous return trips to and from France, delivering tanks, supplies, and personnel to support the Allied invasion.
He also remembered a particularly harrowing moment during one of these return trips, when the vessel came perilously close to a floating naval mine. In a desperate effort to avoid disaster, he and his crew used brooms and whatever tools they could find to push the mine away from the craft.
Throughout his service, Wally highlighted the camaraderie among the Royal Navy crews and the international nature of the D-Day effort. Working alongside Americans and Australians, his story reflects the unity and shared purpose of the Allied forces.
Wally Beall was later awarded the Légion d’Honneur – France’s highest honour – in recognition of his bravery and contribution to the liberation of Europe.
You can hear Wally speak about his remarkable experiences in his own words in a filmed interview, now available in the Legasee Educational Trust video archive:
🔗 Watch Wally Beall’s Interview
