James J. Beierschmitt

• Post by: mcalibrary
• December 18, 2023
• Comments off

INDUCTEE

Jim Beierschmitt lettered in four sports at Mount Carmel. In his senior year he was elected co-captain of three teams – Football, Basketball, and Track. He was a member of Mount Carmel’s Penn Relay Team for three straight years ad was runner-up in the District Four 440 yard run and represented Mount Carmel in the State Meet at University Park. As a Quarterback of the Red Tornadoes in 1957 and 1058, Jim was noted for his fine and accurate passing, strong running ability and adept tackling on defense. He received numerous athletic scholarship offers his senior year but eventually chose the Manlius School in Syracuse, new York before going on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.

At Manlius Jim played both Quarterback and Defensive Halfback. He was captain of what was to be The most successful football team in the school’s history. Jim threw touchdown passes in each game while leading Manlius to a 6-1 record. Their only loss was to the Army freshman team by a score of 15-14, the only points scored against Manlius during the entire season.

During Jim’s senior year, he was starting defensive halfback for the Army eleven. He was selected co-captain for Army’s game with undefeated Penn State. He shut down PSU’s top receiver Don Caum, and helped Army win 10-7. He made key defensive pays and interceptions against Air Force and Pittsburgh.

After graduating from West Point in 1964, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was wounded twice and won the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He served 23 years in the Army and retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He presently works for U.S. Petroleum Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has two sons; James, a junior at the Air Force Academy, and Michael, a high school senior.