Clayton Beauchamp

Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton R. Beauchamp, age 21, of Weatherford, Texas, died on August 7, 2012, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Shaban District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Pendleton, California. He was a field paramedic. 

Clayton had been in Afghanistan for less than a month. This was his first combat deployment. 

Angels of God, pray for Clayton

Clayton graduated from Weatherford High School in 2009. He was in boot camp 2 months after graduation. High school officials describe Clayton as a kind and courteous young man with a lightning-fast grin.

Family members stated that he loved being in the military and that he was full of energy. 

Friends stated that he was a great friend and a hero who will never be forgotten. 

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously, a Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Eagle Globe and Anchor device, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifle Ribbon, Navy Expert Pistol Ribbon and Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist device.

Clayton is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his father, Jack Beauchamp; brother Christopher Beauchamp (also in the military); sister Cheyenne Beauchamp; and his girlfriend. 

Pray for the 21 year olds who die in combat. Yesterday, they were just boys. 

Let us pray that Clayton Beauchamp is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.