William R Beckley
Military
media-50551.jpeg
UPL 50551
STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: Charlie Giesen - CP/P, Donald McNeely - N, William Beckley - B, Raymond Ash - P
KNEELING LEFT TO RIGHT: Stephen Moleck - G, Hubert Moschella - G, Marion Funderburk - E, Earl Richey - RO, Bernard Scavarda - G, Alphonse Wolak - G
The Ash crew was assigned to the 752nd Squadron in mid-summer 1944. Under 2Lt Raymond Ash, the crew flew seven missions before he was removed from flying status and Charlie Giesen took over the crew as pilot. The crew flew an additional thirteen missions between late August and December 24, 1944 with Giesen. On this maximum effort by the Eighth Air Force in support of U.S. forces in the Ardennes, the crew fell victim to flak over Belgium. Photo courtesy of Arnold Poundstone and the 458th BG
KNEELING LEFT TO RIGHT: Stephen Moleck - G, Hubert Moschella - G, Marion Funderburk - E, Earl Richey - RO, Bernard Scavarda - G, Alphonse Wolak - G
The Ash crew was assigned to the 752nd Squadron in mid-summer 1944. Under 2Lt Raymond Ash, the crew flew seven missions before he was removed from flying status and Charlie Giesen took over the crew as pilot. The crew flew an additional thirteen missions between late August and December 24, 1944 with Giesen. On this maximum effort by the Eighth Air Force in support of U.S. forces in the Ardennes, the crew fell victim to flak over Belgium. Photo courtesy of Arnold Poundstone and the 458th BG
The [Giesen] crew did not carry a bombardier on their last mission. 2Lt William R Beckley, assigned with Ash's crew in July, was transferred to the 755th Squadron on October 23, 1944 apparently to be trained as a lead bombardier on 1Lt Frank A. Hathaway, Jr's crew. It is assumed that he completed or nearly completed a tour of missions. Group records show him going to an Air Force rest home in mid-February 1945 and on Air Crew leave on March 6, 1945.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15323395
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39125139
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36115867
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17051961
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
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Changes
Sources
458bg.com / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia