John K. Beling
John K. Beling | |
|---|---|
Rear Admiral John K. Beling, USN (ret.) (as commanding officer of USS Forrestal) | |
| Birth name | John Kingsman Beling |
| Born | October 29, 1919 |
| Died | November 5, 2010 (aged 91) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1942–1973 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Attack Squadron 72 Attack Squadron 43 Technical Branch, Atomic Energy Division USS Alstede USS Forrestal Air, Surface and Electronic Warfare Division Iceland Defense Force |
| Conflicts | World War II *Marianas campaign Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Medal Air Medal with two gold stars Presidential Unit Citation |
John Kingsman Beling (October 29, 1919 – November 5, 2010) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy whose final assignment was as commander, Iceland Defense Force in the early 1970s. Commissioned in 1942, he served as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific Theater in World War II, and was seriously burned when his aircraft was shot down during the Marianas Campaign. He made a full recovery from his injuries, and went on to serve in a variety of staff positions, attended the Naval War College, and commanded three attack squadrons and two ships.
Beling was commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal at the time of the July 29, 1967 fire that killed 134 sailors and officers, injured 161, and caused $72 million (1967 dollars) in damage to the ship. The Navy investigation into the fire cleared Beling of wrongdoing. After retiring from the Navy as a rear admiral in 1973, Beling worked as a Department of Defense civilian, as well as for a defense contractor, before retiring for good in 1985. He died November 5, 2010, in Reston, Virginia.