Curtis Beall ‘47

When the Bulldogs ran onto the field at the 2007 Homecoming Game, few realized that an 85-year-old Marine combat Veteran of World War II was one of the alumni cheerleaders leading the pack.

Curtis Beall ‘47 is a member of UGA’s Greatest Generation and one of the most unique men you will ever meet. Growing up in a small town near Dublin, Ga. Beall came to the University in 1941. His studies were interrupted in 1943 when he received orders from the U.S. Marine corps to report for duty.

After three and a half years spent in the South Pacific, he finally returned to UGA and received his degree in 1947. Those three and a half years in the South Pacific were filled with excitement, fear, combat and leadership. He was a valiant leader in the fight that captured Okinawa. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart.

The thrills, disappointments and triumphs of his war experience, tales from his early days and life on campus (where he was elected Campus Leader), and his life following the war as a successful farmer, remarkable business leader, teacher and community leader are included in his book, “Memoirs of a Marine Dawg: From Rose Bowl to Pacific Theater.”

The book makes for delightful reading. It is compact, well-written, humorous and tells one of the most fascinating stories you will ever read.

In his later years, Curtis makes Homecoming at UGA a priority and still wears his sweater he wore while cheering for the dogs as a student. He looks forward each year to the Homecoming Parade and annual meeting of CHEERS, an organization that supports the UGA cheerleaders. In fact, all net proceeds of his book are being donating to CHEERS.

Every UGA alum needs to own a copy of this book. It’s chock-full of photographs and history. If you cannot find it at your local bookstore, call 478-272-0552 or send your contact information to Curtis A. Beall, 1522 Hwy 80E, Dublin, GA 31027.