Beaufort’s Tracy Beil, 59, joined the United States Army in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1982. After basic training at Fort Jackson and training as a graphic artist at Lowry AFB, Colo., he was assigned to Fort Sill, Okla., preparing presentations and briefings. His next assignment took him to Landstuhl, Germany. Returning to the States he saw duty at Fort Eustis, Va., serving on the staff. While there he deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations Desert Shield/Storm. He served as a convoy driver for four campaigns, earning a Bronze Star.
After returning to Fort Eustis, he was assigned to recruiting duty in DuBois, Pa. Thereafter, he was assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga., with 14 years of service and demobilized during the post-conflict draw-down. He joined the Army National Guard in Pennsylvania, first in infantry then for military police duties. He was reactivated following 9/11 to provide homeland security.
In 2002 he transferred to the National Guard in South Carolina with an armored unit that was activated at Shaw AFB. He returned to regular Army duty to serve three further deployments to Saudi Arabia/Iraq for more than three years in-theater. In 2008 he retired with 26 years of service and returned to Beaufort. Today, he is a member of the S.C. National Guard. He’s worked for the Beaufort County Detention Center as a corrections officer for the past seven years. His wife, Shelly, is a nurse at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
