Charles Owen Beckham

Military
media-39804.jpeg UPL 39804 Back row left to right

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.

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19177124
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Snuffy
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Aces & Ates
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell on Wings
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stag Party
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized the words in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.

 

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Information provided by Greg Hichens, son of Ralph Hichens

384th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes

Charles Owen Beckham: Gallery (1 items)