Beirut Memorial Chapter was established in December, 1993. Four Purple Heart recipients gathered at the Jacksonville USO and decided that the Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune area needed a Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter. Patriot Jim Foyil was elected as the chapter's first Commander, and today Jim is our Service Officer. The Chapter was so named in honor of the 241, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who were wounded in the Beirut, Marine Barracks bombing on 23 October, 1983. This was the first major act of terrorism, as we know it today.

We at the Beirut Memorial Chapter #642, open our hearts and doors to all combat wounded veterans. We encourage Purple Heart Veterans to join our unique organization. A permanent monument, The Beirut Memorial, was erected and dedicated on Highway 24, at the entrance of Camp Johnson, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC. Thousands of visitors honor the heroes inscribed on this Memorial every year.