Walter Aaron Backman

Military
media-52334.jpeg UPL 52334 Lt Hawg [sic] and crew of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of the 390th Bomb Group pose in front of their plane at their base in England on 19 March 1944.

Back row: Walter Backman, Darwin Arnold, Warren Hawes, Andrew Archiopoli.
Front row: Mark Overstreet , Johnny Enlow, Charles Kane, Howard Reppert, Elvis Lehman

US Air Force Official Photo via Fold3

Re-upload of UPL 44546 (now deleted) due to technical error with original image.

Object Number - UPL 52334 - Lt Hawg [sic] and crew of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of the 390th Bomb Group pose in front of their plane at their base in England on 19 March...

Walter Beckman was Navigator on the Warren Hawes Crew (Crew Number 18) in the 390th Bomb Group. He flew most missions on B-17 #42-31717 “HELLS BELLS”.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20738401 at enlistment
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39255625
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19102610 at enlistment
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12164116
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hells Bells
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

29 May 1921 Aurora, Minnesota

Enlisted

19 May 1942 Saint Louis, Missouri

Died

6 January 2010
Chisholm, Minnesota

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
Veterans Affairs BIRLS death File
2005 e-mail correspondence with fellow crew member Johnny Enlow's nephew Troy

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes

Walter Aaron Backman: Gallery (1 items)