Marine PFC Dalton Beals

Hometown: Pennsville, New Jersey.
Died: June 4, 2021.
Age: 19.
Unit: Marine Corps, Echo Company, PLT 2040,  Parris Island, S.C.

Dalton Melvin Beals of Pennsville, New Jersey, passed away at the young age of 19 on Friday, June 4th, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Dalton was born in Newark, Delaware to Melvin Beals Jr. and Stacie Beveridge Beals on November 15th, 2001. Dalton was loved fiercely by all of those around him and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coaches, teachers, and everyone who knew him. He was an incredible athlete and confident in his skills, but remained humble and never believed he was better than anyone else. He was kind, caring, and protective of those he loved, especially his two older sisters, Jordan and Logan. He grew up with his cousin Derrek where they acted more like brothers. Dalton would have made an amazing father someday and his family saw that in the way he entertained his younger cousins Abby and Stephen. Although Dalton was known to be quiet at times and was often found just hanging out with his family, he was also the life of the party with his friends. He was incredibly selfless, witty, and charming and would always offer the best hugs. Even though he had the physical strength to dominate a fight, he leaned towards the role of peacekeeper and mediator. Dalton graduated from Pennsville Memorial High School in 2020. He was awarded Scholar Athlete for his outstanding performance and dedication to football, wrestling, and track. He had completed a year at Salem Community College during his senior year of high school but ultimately chose to serve his country as a United States Marine. Dalton is survived by his parents, Mel and Stacie, his sisters, Jordan and Logan, his Poppy, Irving Beveridge, his Grandmom, Edna Beals, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his Gammy, Janet Beveridge, his Grandpop, Melvin R. Beals, and his uncles Ron and Bruce Beveridge.
Visitation will be held at Pennsville Memorial High School in the auditorium on Tuesday, June 22nd from 5-8pm and Wednesday, June 23rd from 9-11am. Funeral services follow visitation on Wednesday, June 23rd at 11am with Pastor Jeff of Calvary Baptist officiating. Burial will follow at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery in Pilesgrove, NJ. Laughrey Funeral Home will be making the arrangements in coordination with the United States Marine Corps. We encourage everyone to live life like Dalton and always look for the best in others. Donations to keep his legacy alive can be made to the Dalton Beals Memorial Fund

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A 19-year-old Marine Corps recruit, Pfc. Dalton Beals, suffered a tragic death while participating in a grueling training exercise named 'The Crucible'. The 54-hour-long intense training claimed the life of young enlistee (Pfc) Dalton Beals, at the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Port Royal, South Carolina. He was a part of the Echo Company in the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion — a 13-week boot camp which ended with 'The Crucible'. The Marines issued an official statement mourning Beals' death. "Our deepest condolences go out to Dalton's family and to the Marines and staff of Echo Company," they wrote.

A native of Pennsville, New Jersey, Beals graduated in 2020 from Pennsville Memorial High School. He was a recipient of the 2020 Glendon W Lodge Scholarship at his school and was recognized as a star athlete.

He followed his dream to join the Marine Corps after graduating from school and was posted at the MCRD Parris Island. After his tragic death, his mother Stacie remembered him as "the most sincere, kindhearted, sweet and amazing young man".

Meanwhile, Marines spokesperson Bobby Yarbrough announced that Beals would be honored with the title of a Marine posthumously. "The Drill instructors and Company staff made the determination that based on his resolve and dedication throughout recruit training and the Crucible, Pfc. Beals earned the title Marine.