TOP CHARACTER STRENGTHS

BRAVERY - HUMILITY - KINDNESS

Dalton was loved fiercely by all who knew him. He was an incredible athlete and confident in his skills but remained humble and never believed he was better than anyone else. He was kind, caring, and protective of those he loved, especially his two older sisters, Jordan and Logan.

Although Dalton was known to be quiet at times and was content just hanging out with his family, he was also the life of the party with his friends. He was incredibly selfless, witty and charming and would always offer THE BEST hugs.

Even though Dalton had the physical strength to dominate any altercation, he leaned towards the role of peacekeeper and mediator. He always felt there was an answer to any disagreement and chose talking it out rather than fighting.

Dalton graduated from Pennsville Memorial HS in 2020. He loved sports and was awarded MVP his Senior Year of football and Scholar Athlete for his outstanding performance and dedication in football and wrestling.

Dalton had completed a year at Salem Community College during his senior year of high school but ultimately chose to serve his country as a United States Marine. Being a Marine provided a strict code of conduct that Dalton admired and he wanted to be the best so it was the Marines he chose to join.

Dalton was assigned to ECHO COMPANY 2nd Recruit Training Battalion Parris Island, South Carolina. He was nicknamed BIG DEAL BEALS by his platoon members who admired his size and strength. He was a leader and would often physically help fellow recruits finish drills and encourage them not to give up.

Tragically PFC Dalton Beals died alone June 4, 2021 in the field during the final 54 hour training exercise called the Crucible. Dalton was performing unauthorized intense exercises during black flag conditions while under the poor leadership of an inexperienced Senior Drill Instructor.

Matthew Mcfarland, Principle of Pennsville High School had to say this about Dalton. “He was kind and had an internal strength to keep going when others would have given up. When I heard he was joining the Marines I couldn’t think of a more fitting place for him to channel his strength and perseverance into service. The news of his loss has hit me, our school and community with shock and disbelief. Dalton was the best of us all. While we grieve his passing, we are so proud of his dedication and commitment to our country. His memory and sacrifice to our country will be something that we will continue to recognize as we move from grief to celebrating the amazing person that touched so many lives.”

Dalton was excited to be a Marine. He was willing to serve and protect his country. May we never forget the service and sacrifice of Marine PFC Dalton Beals who was only 19 years old at the time of his death.

Character Strength Story:

BRAVERY - This is a tough one because I feel it actually helped contribute to his passing. Dalton was in intense training and was told by his SDI that he was going to make sure he failed someone. Dalton was showing obvious signs of heat exhaustion. This went ignored. Dalton was never going to back down nor complain. He was committed and determined with his whole heart. He was found alone over an hour without detection as he was left behind and too late to be revived.

HUMILITY - We had the opportunity to meet Dalton's platoon members of Echo Co 2024 at a service held at Parris Island. They all talked about how strong Dalton was and that they nicknamed him Big Deal Beals and said he was a gentle giant. He was the one who would always get picked to spar in Pujol stick fights with the biggest guys from the other platoons. They said he was quiet and humble but always the one to come up with the best one-liners to get everyone laughing.

KINDNESS - Not long before Dalton left for bootcamp, I was busy rummaging for something in the garage. It was cold. I kept hearing the chirping of a cricket and it was getting annoying. I had asked Dalton if he could find the cricket and get rid of it. I wasn't paying much attention and then heard the garage door opening. It startled me. Next thing I knew I saw Dalton shooing a little cricket back outside. I remember tearing up, thinking my initial reaction would have been to stomp on the cricket. Dalton taught me something that day and I will never forget it.

-Submitted by Stacie, Surviving Mother