b. 01/11/1888 Newark, Ohio. d. 02/07/1931 Newark, Ohio.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 21/04/1914 Veracruz, Mexico.
Beasley was born in 1888 in Newark, Ohio. After joining the United States Navy, Beasley served as a seaman on board the USS Florida. In 1914, Harry took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, serving as an armed Navy sailor also known as “Bluejackets” tasked with capturing the city’s Customs House.
Led by Ensign George M. Lowry, Harry’s company was pinned down by rifle and machine-gun fire. Lowry asked for volunteers to approach the Custom’s House from the side. Five men volunteered: Harry, Joseph G. Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class George Cregan, and Seaman Lawrence C. Sinnett. Harry, and Lowry were slightly wounded and J.F. Schumaker would be killed. Harry, along with almost all of the men who volunteered for the attack, received the Medal of Honor for their actions. Shortly after being award the Medal of Honor in 1914 for brave actions during United States occupation of Veracruz, Harry left the Navy.
But, he would reenlisted during World War I and serve until 1921, eventually reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. After the war Harry returned to his hometown of Newark and, in 1926, became a police officer with the city’s police department. Harry was shot and killed when he interrupted several burglars attempting to break into a safe at a shoe store. The suspects were never identified. Harry’s Medal of Honor and other military awards are on display in the lobby of the Newark Police Department, having been donated by his surviving relatives. His badge number was 17 and he served with the police department for five years. Harry was 41 years old at the time of his murder.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Florida for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21, 1914.
BURIAL LOCATION: CEDAR HILL CEMETERY, NEWARK, OHIO.
SECTION 16, LOT 123
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT, NEWARK, OHIO.