Charles Owen Beckham
Military
Thomas H. “Pete” Fitzgerald – Pilot
Edward J. Bullitt – Co-Pilot
Edwin M. Dexter – Navigator
Richard D. Eide – Bombardier
Front row left to right:
Ralph “H” Hichens – Top Turret Gunner/Flight Engineer
Edward Gramc - Radio Operator/Gunner
Edgar L. “Pappy” Heeg - Tail Gunner
Charles O. Beckham – Ball Turret Gunner
Michael Kimak – Waist Gunner
This picture was taken on September 21, 1944 when they were assigned to the 305th BG 422nd BS. The crew was originally assigned to the 384th BG 546th BS on May 16, 1944. They flew 16 operational missions before being transferred to the 305th BG. on June 26, 1944 where they completed their tour.
The original crew when assigned to the 384th BG had Carl R. Matthiesen as the Radio Operator/Gunner and William J. Pattillo as the 2nd Waist Gunner. Ed Gramc was assigned to the 384th BG 546th BS on May 16, 1944 with the James A. Gibson crew. For unknown reasons, when the Fitzgerald crew was transferred, Ed Gramc went with them and Carl Matthiesen and William Pattillo stayed with the 384th BG.
Greg Hichens
Object Number - UPL 39804 - Back row left to right Thomas H. “Pete” Fitzgerald – Pilot Edward J. Bullitt – Co-Pilot Edwin M. Dexter – Navigator Richard D. Eide...
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with

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

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

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-819669
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-709309
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-701469
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-807825
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15100616
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator; Gunner
Aircraft

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Challenger
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Nina
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: De rumble izer
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Kentucky Kernel
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Missions

- Date: 25 June 1944
- Official Description:
- Date: 24 June 1944

- Date: 21 June 1944
- Official Description:

- Date: 20 June 1944

- Date: 19 June 1944
Places

- Site type: Airfield

- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Revisions
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to Summary Biography, Mascot? and Role. Changes to Role of Honour Picture. Changes to Role of Honour Picture
Sources
Capitalized the words in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.
ContributorEmily
ChangesChanges to middlename, service number, role, biography, person associations, unit associations, place associations, aircraft associations and mission associations
Sources
Information provided by Greg Hichens, son of Ralph Hichens
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…