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Julius Becton Jr.
1926 - 2023
Julius Becton Jr.
1926 - 2023
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1926
DIED
2023
Julius Becton Obituary
Lt. General Julius Becton Jr. was a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran who went on to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under President Ronald Reagan.
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(Photo: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
14 Entries
Carolyn Bost Pittman
May 12, 2025
I met LTG Becton at an awards ceremony at VII Corps 1980 where he presented my Army Commendation Medal. I was a Specialist 5 Chaplain Assistant assigned to VII Corps Chaplain Office. LTG Becton is the reason I received my commission in December 1980 from Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, GA. LTC Carolyn Bost Pittman (Ret USAR)
Clarence A. Miller
December 20, 2024
My wife Margaret and I had the honor of being present at the Change of Command Ceremony when Gen Becton assumed command of the VII Corps . A memorable occasion: a proud time.
SP4 Chatmon
June 26, 2024
When was he Commander of 1st Cavalry Division at then Fort Hood
Clarence & Catherine Miller
December 29, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
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Donna Denise Walker
December 10, 2023
Thank you for all you did for DC Public Schools, you worked hard for us. May you rest in peace.
Judy Collins
December 10, 2023
General Becton came to FEMA at a time when he was really needed and did a lot for the agency. It was a pleasure to be a FEMA employee during his tenure.
Judy Collins
Retired FEMA Employee
May he rest in peace.
Ida M Beal Campbell
December 5, 2023
RIP General Becton
Ronald Karpinski (CW4, USA Retired)
December 2, 2023
I served on the general staff of U.S. Army VII Corps Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, while Lieutenant General Becton was commanding. I think it was in early 1981 when I was granted a personal interview with him in conjunction with a request for a direct commission. He noted that I had served under his three best friends in the Army (MG William Mundie, GEN William Livsey, and LTG David Grange). We had quite a talk that day, and he supported my request. (When it was later denied by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs -- I apparently had one month too many on active duty -- General Becton called the Pentagon and demanded to know why his signature as a Lieutenant General was not good enough to approve this action. He later told me that he had learned something quite valuable: that the generals did not really run the Army, appointed officials did.) I recall walking away in awe of this genuinely caring, intensely focused man who had risen through the ranks to such a pinnacle of power and responsibility and yet could still relate to my late-blooming efforts toward career advancement. The general told me that he did not graduate from college himself until 1960 and encouraged me to keep grinding away. I promised him that I would. Sadly, I never took the time to report back to him some years later that I did, indeed, graduate with a degree in business. For what it's worth at this late date, General Becton, I did keep my promise. Rest in peace, Sir.
RB
December 2, 2023
Sincere condolences to the Becton family, May God be with you all as you endure your time of loss.
Leo Bosner
December 1, 2023
When General Becton came to lead FEMA in 1985, he walked into a swamp of corruption, incompetence, and a compete lack of direction or sense of mission. He completely reenergized the agency, meeting with us employees and asking us what was needed to strengthen FEMA. His tenure there was marked by integrity and strong leadership and openness to new ideas. I'm glad I had the chance to meet him and to work under his direction. A good man. - Leo Bosner, retired FEMA employee.
Linda
December 1, 2023
I offer my sincere condolences to the family of General Becton. I will never forget the time I spent with General and Mrs. Becton in the preparation of his autobiography. They were quite a team and I learned a lot from them.
Linda Louise Riley, Esq.
Lula Jones Gabriel
November 30, 2023
General and Mrs. Becton were extra parents to all of us. Their doors, ears and hearts were always open for us graduate and undergraduate students. God rest both of their sweet souls.
RH
November 30, 2023
To the family, my condolences for your loss of Lt. General Becton, Jr. May the God of tender mercy and ALL comfort, comfort you during this time.
Elizabeth Bell
November 30, 2023
R.I.P. Mr.Julius
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