Herman Beukema - Military Career

Military Career

After attending the University of Chicago, Beukema graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1915 in what many historians refer to as “the class the stars fell on” in reference to the 59 generals who would come from that class, most notably Omar Bradley and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

After being commissioned upon graduation, Beukema served on the Mexican frontier, and commanded an artillery battalion in France as a major when he was wounded in 1918. He studied at the Field Artillery School and at the Army Command and General Staff school. In 1928, Beukema joined the staff at the United States Military Academy as a professor of economics, government, and history. In 1930, Beukema became head of that department (renamed the Social Sciences Department in 1947), serving in that role until his retirement from the Army in 1954. He received honorary degrees from Washington & Jefferson University, Rutgers University, and Norwich University.