Walter Bruce Beat served in the US Air Corps as a Major and Pilot of an aircraft during World War II. He was leading the formation into the target when the enemy attack came, the Zeros apparently concentrated their fire on the lead ship, and it was hard hit at the very beginning of the attack. When last seen by other crews, it was observed to explode directly over Hankow. Two or three men were seen jumping from this plane just before it exploded, but since they jumped immediately over the target area, it is considered almost certain that they were either taken prisoner or were killed.

He was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China but death date is inscribed as 1945-06-26 and name is iscribed as Waler.