LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has ordered for flags to be placed at half-staff to mourn the life of Sgt. Charles Edwin Beaty.
The governor said that the United State flag and the state flag of Arkansas will both be flown at half-staff throughout the Natural State from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 — the date signifies Sgt. Beaty’s interment, in memory of his life.
Sgt. Beaty was an Arkansas native born in Craighead County on April 14, 1924. He entered the US Army on Nov. 19, 1942. He would later go on to serve in the Korean War and also be assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division — he was also stationed in the infamous Chosin Reservoir.
On Nov. 27, 1950, an attack was launched on US and UN troops by Chinese Communist Forces. The attack was focused in the area of Sgt. Beaty's regiment, who held ground before withdrawing to a new defensive position.
The attacks on Sgt. Beaty's position continued and he was later reported missing in action days later on Dec. 3 near the village of Hagaru-ri through unknown circumstances.
Decades later on July 27, 2018, a Summit between Pres. Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un resulted in the remains of 55 US Service members being returned to America — Sgt. Beaty was one of those service members that was identified.
Sgt. Beaty earned multiple accolades to include a Purple Heart, United Nations Services Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Following the identification and return of his remains, Gov. Sanders said that "Sgt. Beaty will finally be laid to rest in his home of Arkansas surrounded by family, loved ones, and a community that cherishes his memory and honors his service. "
