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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '51
James Malcolm Becker NO. 16028 CLASS OF 1946
Killed In Action, November 24, 1950, In Korea, Aged 28 Years. |
Jim was killed when his plane crashed in the rugged mountainous
country northwest of Wonsan, Korea. He was making a road reconnaissance
through guerilla territory when downdrafts held him in a deep
narrow valley that terminated abruptly. The heartfelt dismay
of his mechanics and the sorrow of the men and officers who worked
with him are a tribute to his character that will not be forgotten.
The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to him in recognition
of his ability and bravery.
Jim was born in Wadena, Minnesota on January 8, 1922, the
son of' Mr. and Mrs. A, O. Becker. He attended Wadena High School
and Northwestern Preparatory School, and entered the United States
Military Academy in 1943. During his three years at the Academy,
and later during his Army career, his quiet conscientious work
and his good fellowship were chief traits of his character.
Not long after graduation, Jim was assigned to an Infantry
Company in the 7th Division, where he served for 18 months in
South Korea. His next assignment was with the 2nd Infantry Division
at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
It was not until Jim and Sheila moved to Waco, Texas that
I knew them well. Here Jim and I took the Army Flying Course
together, Jim really put his heart into this work, learning what
the course required, and digging out facts about aviation from
all available sources. He was one of those fortunate men who
learn to fly quickly. Our flying class had a high regard for
Jim's sincere nature, firm in responsibility and convictions.
His friendship was warm and unselfish—I have found none
better. Jim was a disciple of armed forces unification, and as
such found many things at the Air Force Base at Waco that he
would inquire into and later state they were systems the Army
should adopt. He would explain during a leisure hour how supply
and maintenance systems and handling of personnel varied between
the Army and Air Force, summarizing in a very convincing manner
the better qualities of each system. I feel sure that had he
been with the Service longer, many of his ideas would have been
valuable to both the air and ground forces.
At Jim and Sheila's Waco apartment, many happy hours were
spent by various members of' the aviation class. Jim not only
enjoyed hunting ducks, but preparing them for the table as well.
Fishing and flying were hobbies also and despite required flying,
he was happy to get a private license for pleasure flying. But
Jim never looked so happy as when he passed out cigars in honor
of' Pam, the first small member of' the family. From the time
Pam was born until Jim departed for the Far East, his favorite
recreation was helping care for his wife and their baby.
From Waco he went to more flying and tactical training at
Ft. Sill, and then for his first flying assignment at Ft. Devens.
By the time Jim joined his Regiment at Ft. Devens, it was already
alerted for overseas shipment, so Jim joined the air section
with his usual untiring efforts, working late into the night
preparing aircraft for overseas shipment; while he had the added
responsibility of' getting his wife and new baby settled. He
was immediately respected by the officers and men of the Ft.
Devens Air Section for his willingness and helpfulness in accomplishing
the job.
In Japan he joined the 3rd Division Air Section, spent a few
weeks of' training flights in the mountains of Kyushu and flew
to Korea in the middle of November. Here he put his full heart
into flying combat missions through the guerilla country about
Wonsan. His companions remember well the tears in his eyes, after
a full day of flying, when he was unable to make a trip to Tongyang
after more wounded, because of darkness. It brought back to memory
something he had said at Waco; that he had thought very seriously
of going to medical school before entering his military career.
And his companions remember his unfailing attention to his missions
and the thorough manner in which he accomplished them. He flew
his last mission on November 24, 1950.
—Daniel C. Prescott, '45.
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