Obituary of Francis Bein

Francis Leonard Bein, Jr., age 97, died Monday, April 12, 2010, in St. John's Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Bein was born on July 9, 1912, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Francis Leonard Bein, Sr. and Alice Pearl (Straub) Bein. He married Marion McNeill in 1944. Mr. Bein served his country with distinction during World War II as a member of the Army's famous 29th Infantry Division, 115th Regiment, 1st Battalion. The 29th Division was in the first assault to hit the beaches at Normandy on D-Day. The division cut across the Elle River and took Saint Lo on July 18, 1944. Pfc Leonard Bein and Staff Sergeaut Gerald Davis hung the blue and grey 29th Division flag from a first floor window of a restaurant across the street from the command post. The flag was ripped down by German shelling and the soldiers hung the flag a second time. Pfc Bein was awarded a Bronze star and the division was awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre Avec Palme by the French government for its exemplary service on Omaha Beach. He was retired from PPG Industries. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of over 50 years, Marion Bein, RN, and his sister, Elizabeth Woodard. He is survived by his brother, Robert Bein and sister-in-law, Martha Bein, of Montgomery, IL. Mr. Bein directed no services be held and that his ashes be interred with his wife in Rose Hill Mausoleum, Tulsa, Oklahoma.Mr. Bein and his wife had no children, but held great affection for each of their many dogs. Friends and family members wishing to honor Mr. Bein may make memorials to Tulsa SPCA or Animal Aid of Tulsa