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Chapter History
Founded in 1948 as the Indianapolis Chapter by WWII Glider men and Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division. The chapter was renamed the Tillman E. Beikes Indianapolis Chapter in 1979 to honor Till’s loyalty, dedication and service to the chapter of over thirty years. August 2009 marked the 20th Anniversary of his passing.
1948 Indianapolis Chapter Founding Members (left to right): Joe McGrath, Paul Krier, Don Dugger, Frank LaBon, Pat Mulloy, Paul Haehl; (standing left to right): Bernard Britton, Vincent Grummel, Clyde Revis, George Totman, Pentzer McNay, Julius Knoop, Gene Gandolph, Glen Tumey, Tom Foust, Ward Watson, William Jefferies, Larry Donahue, Walt Byrd. Not present: Tillman E. Beikes, whom the chapter was unanimously renamed after in 1979.
The Indianapolis Chapter Sky Hawks thought they'd like to jump "just one more time". Lead by one of our Founding Fathers, John Gore, these men assembled as the Indianapolis Sky Hawks in 1961 and continued until what we recollect to be about 1967. WWII veterans in the photo above are Arley Farley, John Gore, Bob Riggs and Jessie Buck.
Reminiscing with an old copy of the Paraglide donated by member Harry Thompson along with the Indianapolis Chapter Sky Hawks photo above. Special thanks to Harry for allowing us to document these great memories for the history of the Tillman E. Beikes Chapter!
1952 National Convention of the 82nd Airborne Division Association
1956 National Convention of the 82nd Airborne Division Association
Remembering our fallen heroes...
Wilbur Slabach
Member
Wilbur L. "Willie" Slabach, 82, of Wawaka, IN, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. Willie served his country honorably from 1953-73 in the United States Army. He retired as a Green Beret from the 5th Special Forces Group after twenty years of service around the world.
SGM Dave Kehm
Past Secretary
Dave Kehm, 69 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on March 5, 2016. SGM David Kehm retired from the U.S Army after serving 26 years. He was a proud member of the Tillman E. Beikes Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association serving as the Chapter Secretary for many years.
Ross Bush
Member
Our brother and chapter member, Forest Ross Bush died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. He was 78.
He served in the U.S. Army paratroopers 82nd Airborne Division and 11th Airborne Division from 1954-57. He was a member of both the 82nd and 11th Airborne Divisions Association. He also was a member of Milledgeville United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge 113 of Thorntown, Murat Temple and Boone County Shrine, American Legion Post 113 of Lebanon and American Legion Riders.
Bob Miller
Past Sergeant-At-Arms
Bob Miller, Tillman E. Beikes Indianapolis Chapter's Sergeant-At-Arms, passed away on Friday, October 10th, 2014.
Bob was a dedicated, active and loyal All American member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Our thoughts are with his wife, Joyce, and their family. He will be truly missed.
Richard (Dick) W. Mote
Member
90, Indianapolis, passed away on July 30, 2015.
Dick served his country in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne during WWII and the Korean War. He was sent overseas in 1944 and jumped into Normandy on D-Day 1944.
Lida R. Beikes
Chapter Matriarch
Chapter Matriarch, Mrs. Lida Beikes, wife of Tillman E. Beikes, WWII 325 Gliderman, and the namesake of our Indianapolis All Airborne Chapter passed away Friday, May 2nd, 2014. She was 95 years young. She was a true blessing to our chapter, a strong presence who kept our boys in line throughout the years and she will be missed tremendously. Mrs. Beikes will forever be an inspiration for our chapter as we ALL continue into the next century.
Honors
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Distinguished Service Cross Ceremony for LTC (R) Fred Spaulding
LTC (R) Fred Spaulding was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions in the battle of FSB Ripcord in the Republic of Vietnam. The DSC is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. We are honored to be in his company.
Full citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, (amended by act of 25 July 1963) has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to:
CAPTAIN FREDRICK L. SPAULDING
UNITED STATES ARMY
For extraordinary heroism in action:
Captain Fredrick L. Spaulding distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Assistant Operating Officer. Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during the withdraw of Fire Support Base Ripcord in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam on July 23, 1970, Captain Spaulding, voluntarily left Camp Evans to provide direct aid to the besieged Fire Support Base and to the two Companies awaiting extraction. He then took command of a Scout helicopter and joined the battle to locate, mark and direct fire from all available land and air assets against enemy positions. While taking intense fire, Captain Spaulding directly exposed himself to enemy fire while marking enemy positions with smoke grenades and coordinating with multiple fire teams resulting in accurate and devastating results. Once the grenades were exhausted, Captain Spaulding fired his sidearm at the enemy until his helicopter was rendered inoperable by the mounting enemy fire. Undaunted, Captain Spaulding and his pilot were able to maneuver the crippled aircraft back to Camp Evans. When the pilot refused to continue the mission, Captain Spaulding procured a second helicopter. This second aircraft was subsequently damaged by enemy fire, as was the third helicopter that Spaulding obtained. In a fourth helicopter, Captain Spaulding returned to area of operations to continue the evacuation of the two besieged companies by continuing to draw fire upon himself and the aircraft. Captain Spaulding's daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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