Sergeant Francis Bean, Distinguished Service Cross recipient

Utica Herald-Dispatch, 12 Mar 1919

Sergt. Francis Bean, son of Fred W. Bean of 1140 Neilson street, one of the Utica boys to get back last night, will soon wear the Distinguished Service Cross. He has been recommended for this coveted medal for meritorious conduct in action on September 29 when the Utica boys helped pierce the once impregnable Hindenburg line. On that occasion Sergeant Bean captured 31 Germans, a major, a captain, a lieutenant and two machine guns. With Sergeant Bean on this occasion were two other Twenty-seventh boys who were also decorated. In speaking about this incident Sergeant Bean does not say much about himself, giving the credit to the other two man who helped him turn the trick.

"Does it seem good to get back?" asked the reporter.

"Good, did you say? I tell you, sir, it's wonderful. Utica is certainly better than ever and you can bet every one of the other boys that came home last night thinks just as I do. We could give you some great stories but what's the use. It's all over and what we did we did willingly and we're not looking for praise. We went over there and went through hell, but we're not coming back here bragging about it."

Sergeant Bean was with Sergt. Charles Adrean when the latter died. When Sergeant Adrean was hit, Sergeant Bean bound up his wounds. He brought to the attention of his captain the exceptional courage of Sergeant Adrean, with the result that the latter was awarded.

From "The History of the 107th Infantry, U.S.A." by DeVinne Press, 1920:

Francis A. Bean, Sergeant, Company A, 107th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near st. Souplet, France, October 18, 1918. His compmay having been stopped by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Sergeant Bean and two other soldiers worked their way into the enemy position, putting out of action two hostile machine guns. They then proceeded toward a dugout near by under heavy fire and, upon encoutering a German in the act of throwing a grenade at them, Sergeant Bean shot him. Reaching the entrance to the dugout they forced the surrender of the occupants, who numbered thirty-five, including three officers. Residence at enlistment: 1566 Neilson Avenue, Utica, N.Y.

Other Notes:

Francis Alford (or Alfred) Bean was born 22 Dec 1889 in Utica, NY, a son of Fred W. Bean and Rose A. McDermott. He was of medium height, medium build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was a cook for 9 months in the National Guard prior to enlisting in WWI. He married Caroline A. Beardslee on 15 Nov 1922 in Utica, NY. He was awarded the NYS Conspicous Service Cross on 7 Jul 1931 (#2131). He died on 31 Dec 1957, his wife much later, in 1982. They are both buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, NY.

Brother of Francis Bean

Source: Utica Herald Dispatch, 8 Apr 1922

Theodore K. Bean Returns to This Country After Serving in War.

Theodore R. Bean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bean of 1206 Elm street, has safely arrived in this country after serving two years with the American Army of Occupation in Germany. Mr. Bean served throughout the war and was shifted into the former enemy country following the armistice. He was one of the first from Utica, to enlist and was connected with the Sixth Field Hospital.

Last week his family was pleasantly surprised to have him come in on them unexpectedly, but Mr. Bean was ordered back to Fort Slocum. After returning he was fortunate enough to get a 10 days' furlough and he arrived in Utica yesterday afternoon to see his friends of pre-war days.

Mr. Bean has a record that he may well be proud of, having served throughout the entire war. His term of-enlistment is up in 80 days, after which he will probably return to his home town. The name of Bean is not an unfamiliar one in Utica. His brother, Sergt. Francis Bean, is one of Utica's best known young business men and his record is one of the best known of the last war.