He was a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, and received the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his work in press relations.

Beaton served in the United States Navy as a correspondent for the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II.

[1] Beaton was soon promoted to manager of the Fresno, California bureau, and then became the regional business representative for Los Angeles.

He also had the UPI communications center relocated from New York to Dallas, Texas, and upgraded its receivers for news, photos and audio.

[1][2] Beaton received the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his work in press relations, and the Carr Van Anda Award from Ohio University for contributions to journalism.