Daniel D Wilkerson Jr

Military

Shot down May 8, 1944 in B-17 42-97220 'Kickapoo Joy Juice'. Prisoner of War (POW). Flew 18 missions



POW/Air Medal/Purple Heart/

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.

452nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Herbert Wilhelm Becker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727919
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

42-97220

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kickapoo Joy Juice
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

24 April 1924

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Żagań, Poland 8 May 1944 Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11

Died

1 March 2003

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added S/N and Updated the location of the "POW" event per WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).

https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=3159&mtch=17&cat=GP24…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Flagged as a "Possible DUPLICATE" in the Nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.

Date
ContributorLinda Bryan
Changes
Sources

According to Herb Becker's widow Norma, Danny Wilkerson used to say into the intercom in the B-17 "they're cummin', they're cummin', they're cummin'" or something to that effect when the enemy planes began to appear. Herb recalled this quirk distinctly--probably a way to relieve the tense stress of the situation but also a way to tense up everyone else.--LBryan, Herb's daughter.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4589