Staff Sergeant Bradley C. Beem was born on 16 May 1967 in Shell Rock, Iowa. The summer prior to graduating from high school, he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Reserve and attended Infantry Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In September 1986, he enlisted as an Infantryman in the Regular Army, serving tours in the Republic of Korea and Fort Polk, Louisiana. In 1990, SSG Beem completed training as a CH-47D Medium Helicopter Repairman. Following his reclassification to become an aircrew member, SSG Beem spent three years in the Republic of Panama as a CH-47D Repairman and Flight Engineer.

In 1993, SSG Beem was accepted into the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He initially served as an Instructor and Trainer with the Special Operations Aviation Training Company at Fort Campbell. Following his graduation from the Basic Mission Qualification Course in May 1995, he was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion at Fort Campbell and served as an MH- 47E Chinook Crew Chief and Flight Engineer.

SSG Beem’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Parachutist Badge, Aviation Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

SSG Beem died on 7 March 1996 during a night training mission when his MH-47E Chinook helicopter, #465, crashed near Russellville, Kentucky.

SSG Beem is survived by his wife, Yvonne; son, Trevor (TJ); father and stepmother, Jack and Judy; mother, Carol; sister, Susanne; brother, Richard; and stepbrothers, Tim and Tom. SSG Beem is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a group burial site in Section 60, site 7812. Range #2A at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is dedicated in his honor as Beem Range.