Edward L. Beach, Jr.

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Edward Latimer Beach, Jr.
April 20, 1918 - December 1, 2002
Edward L. Beach, Jr.
Allegiance	USN
Years of service	1939-1966
Rank	Captain
Commands	USS Piper USS Triton
Battles/wars	World War II
Other work	Author

Edward Latimer Beach, Jr. (April 20, 1918 - December 1, 2002) was an American naval submarine officer and author. The son of Capt. Edward L. Beach, Sr., he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1939.

During World War II, Beach served in the USS Trigger, USS Tirante, and commanded the USS Piper. He later served as President Eisenhower's naval aide.

In 1959, Beach took command of the USS Triton (SSRN-586), which in 1960 circumnavigated the Earth in 61 days—without surfacing, an unprecedented feat. Beach retired from the Navy in 1966.

As an author, Beach is best known for his first novel, Run Silent, Run Deep (1955). A 1958 movie based on the novel was made, starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. He later wrote two sequels, Dust on the Sea (1972) and Cold is the Sea (1978). Beach also wrote several books on naval history, including Submarine!, Around the World Submerged (1962), Keepers of the Sea (1983), and Scapegoats: A Defense of Kimmel and Short at Pearl Harbor (1995).

Beach Hall, the United States Naval Institute's home at the Naval Academy, is named in honor of both Captains Beach.