Kansas PFC 5AAA AW BN

Francis John Befort, single, born Hyacinth, KS, occupation was oil field worker. Resides in Hays, Ellis County, KS.

Height: 5' 8", 165 Lbs, blue eyes. Education 8th grade. Place Kansas City, MO Active Service 9/17/1954 - 1955, PVT E-1. U.S. Army, Service No. US 55 460 6333, Appointment 2/12/1955, PFC (T). Component and Branch of Class: AUS AAA. Specialty No. 161.10 - AAA (AW) Crewman.

Place of Separation was Fitzsimons Army Hospital Denver CO, reason SR 600-450-10 SPN 35 (See Item 38). Selective Service number 14 20 33 125. Selective Service of Local Board was Hays, Ellis, KS. National Defense Metal Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp.

(Information provided by David Haspert)

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Former Hays Man Is Electrocuted While Working At Russell

Frank Befort, 27, Gorham, an oil field worker, formerly of Hays, was electrocuted Tuesday while working with a well service unit west of Russell. The mishap occurred at 12 p.m. Two other men were assisting Befort on an oil well pulling unit behind the headquarters of Holt Welt Service on U.S. 40 at the city limits of Russell when a piece of equipment fouled a 2, 400-volt powerline. Befort was killed. The other two men escaped injury. All three men were employed by Holt Well Service.

Befort is suvived by his widow, Darlene and two children, Rosemary, 4, and Margaret, 23 months. All of the home and a brother, Clarence of Hays.

Officers at Russell said Befort's parents are both deceased. They were the late Mr. and Mrs. John Befort of Hays.

Funeral services for Befort will be at 9 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Catholic church in Gorham. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Russell Mortuary, Russell, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.