September 24, 1926 (Norwalk, CT) – February 13, 1951; 24 years old
Engaged to Martha Helen Urbanowicz (1923-1994); no children
Last local address: 1 Pine Hill Road and 43 Van Zant St, East Norwalk
Enlisted on October 13, 1950
Corps of Engineers, 00084, Stationary Fireman
Service Number: 51090029
Korean War Project Key No: 1841
Unit: 7th Infantry Division, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, A Company
Born to Stephen (1882-1959) and Catherine Beerwa (1889-1967). Two brothers, Andrew (1922-1945), and John (1926-1977). Three sisters, Mary (1909-1992), Eleanor (1911-2001), and Anna (1919-1962).
Casualty Location: near Wonju, South Korea
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Before entering the service, he had owned and operated a grocery store on Cove Avenue and attended local schools. He was seriously wounded while fighting the enemy in South Korea on February 13, 1951, and died of those wounds later that day.
Brother Andrew Beerwa is officially listed as Missing In Action during World War II while serving as a pilot in the US Navy. He was reported lost at sea in April 1945 near Japan.
From The Norwalk Hour February 21, 1951
NORWALK YOUTH DIES OF WOUNDS
Pvt. Frank W. Beerwa Was In Korea Fighting; Brother A World War II Casualty
Private Frank N. Beerwa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Beerwa of 25 Cove Avenue, died of wounds received in Korea on February 12, according to a telegram received today by his parents from Edward F. Whitsell, Adjutant General of the United States Army. Private Beerwa had been seriously wounded in action at a date unreported. According to his parents, who received a letter from him Tuesday and which was written on February 9, he was wounded in the Wonju area. Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Beerwa, Lt JG Andrew Beerwa, Naval Air Corps, was a casualty of World War II, having been announced missing in action in 1945. A pilot in Fighter Squadron 4, he had dove into the sea while en route to a target near Kyushu, Japan. In April 1946, the Navy Department officially announced that he was dead. Private Beerwa was called to active duty with the Army on October 13, 1950, and was sent to Korea in November. He had previously served for one year with Army and had been in the Engineering Corps. He was 24 years old. Educated in local schools, Private Beerwa had attended Roger Ludlow Junior High School and Norwalk High School. Previous to his Army service he had owned and operated a grocery store at 25 Cove Avenue. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, John Beerwa, and three sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Warner, Mrs. Ann Cox, and Mrs. Mary Palumbo, all of Norwalk. Private Beerwa was engaged to Miss Martha Urbanowitz at the time of his death.
From The Norwalk Hour March 1, 1951
NORWALK, MARCH 1 – The Department of the Army revealed today the death of Private Frank N. Beerwa, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Beerwa of 23 Cove Avenue who died February 13 of wounds received in Korea. The Army official did not report the data of the action in which Private Beerwa was wounded. In a letter dated February 9 received from their son, the parents learned he was injured in fighting around Wonju. Private Beerwa was called to active duty on October 13, 1940, and was sent to Korea in November. Prior to his recall, he served one year in the Engineer Corps. He graduated from Roger Ludlow Junior High School and attended the senior high school. Besides his parents, he Is survived by a brother, John, and three sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Warner, Mrs. Ann Cox, and Mrs. Mary Palumbo, all of this city. Private Beerwa was engaged to Miss Martha Urbanowicz at the time of his death. This is the second son Mr. and Mrs. Beerwa have lost as the result of war. Another son, Andrew, a junior-grade lieutenant, was reported missing in action in World War II while serving as a pilot in a Navy fighter squadron. The Navy Department officially announced his death in April 1945. It was reported his plane was lost at sea while he was en route to his target near Kyushu, Japan.
From The Norwalk Hour September 10, 1951
MILITARY HONORS FOR FRANK BEERWA
Funeral services for Private Frank N. Beerwa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Beerwa, who died in February of wounds received while fighting in Korea, will be held Tuesday morning at 8:30 from the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, and at 9 o’clock at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The funeral home will be open this afternoon and evening from 3 to 10. The remains were arriving in South Norwalk today. Frank C. Godfrey Post American Legion, will conduct services this evening at 8:30 at the funeral home.
Private Beerwa is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 15 Broad Street, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section BN, Lot 22NE ¼, Grave #1. Photos by author.
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Honor Norwalk CT veterans 