FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- In a ceremony Friday, the facility housing the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center was named "Stanley J. Beach Hall" in honor of a "living legend" in the Navy Chaplain Corps.

Beach, who retired as a captain in 1987 after 30 years of service, received the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart for his actions in Vietnam while deployed with the Third Marine Division.

"For nearly half a century, Chaplain Beach's name has been synonymous with dedication to duty and selfless service," said Chaplain (Rear Adm.) Mark Tidd, chief of Navy chaplains. "He's been for many of us a shining example of the very best of naval chaplaincy. His impact on countless Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen is literally beyond measure."

Beach is also a former director of what was then called the Naval Chaplains School. Tidd said he first met Beach during that time.

"We as students did not appreciate then what we know now -- that we were in the presence of a living legend," Tidd said. "Chaplain Beach was unfailingly kind to us with a kindness that appreciated our eagerness to learn. And he always encouraged us to learn to do better. In his presence we had the sense that this was someone who truly knew what it meant to be a Navy chaplain."

Roger Kimble, president of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines Association, recalled Beach's heroics in Vietnam. Kimble said the chaplain would often put himself in harm's way to minister to his troops.

"As one Marine very appropriately said, 'Chaplain Beach is the John Wayne of chaplains,'" Kimble said.

Retired Navy chaplain Tieriean Cash, who now works as the Navy Chaplain Corps archivist, said it was a fitting tribute to have the facility named after Beach.

"People have often heard me say that the chaplain school is more than brick; it's more than mortar -- it's the embodiment of our spiritual heritage and the repository of our history and our commissions," Cash said.

Beach recalled some of this history, which includes chaplains who have died in combat and those who have received the Medal of Honor. He said he was honored to have the facility named for him.

"And it is such a privilege to have my name even associated with some of those courageous and sacrificial chaplains," Beach said.