Ace pilot Major Walter C. Beckham of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (YJ-X, serial number 42-8476), named "Little Demon". Beckham was flying this aircraft when he failed to return from a mission to Germany on 22 February 1944. He was held as a prisoner of war until the end of war in Europe.

Major Walter C. Beckham and Captain Walker M. Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group at a press call, 5 February 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolt Aces In London. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Major Walter C. Beckham of Pensacola, Florida (left) and Capt. Walker M. Mahurin, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, two of America's leading aces in the European theatre, seen in London Feb 5, when they met members of the press at the U.S. Headquarters in London. They have sixteen Nazi planes each to their credit. GLE 264541. 5-2-44-GP.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].

Airmen of the 353rd Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt (YJ-X, serial number 42-8476) nicknamed "Little Demon". Written on slide casing: '353 Walter Beckham.' L-R: Sgt. Marvin E. Eichstaedt, Sgt. Henry E. Bush Jr., Maj. Walter C. Beckham, and Sgt. Richard E. Verity. Note: this photograph was used on the cover of the June 20, 1944 issue of Fairchild News (Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp.), and identifies the men as (From left to right): Sgt. Marvin E. Eichstaedt of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Sgt. Henry E. Bush Jr. of Easley, South Carolina; Maj. Walter C. Beckham of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; and Sgt. Richard E. Verity of Seaford, Long Island, New York -- who was a former office boy at Fairchild.

A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 353rd Fighter Group shoots down an FW 190 on 11 November 1943. Gun camera photograph. This is the Fw190 destroyed by Capt. Walter C. Beckham on 11 November 1943

Major Walker M Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group and Major Walter Beckham of the 353rd Fighter Group examine an aerial gunnery training device. 1944. Colonel Hubert Zemke (56th Fighter Group) has handwritten on the reverse: 'March 1944. Majors Walker M. Mahurin (left), 56th Fighter Group, and Walter Beckham, 353rd Fighter Group - at the time they were running neck and neck for the top ranking ETO scoring, 21 vs 20 ea shot down. "Looking at a device used in aerial gunnery training".'

Major Walker M Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group and Major Walter Beckham of the 353rd Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt at Boxted. Colonel Hubert Zemke (56th Fighter Group) has handwritten on the reverse: 'Left Major Walker Bud Mahurin, CO 63rd Ftr Sq, 56th Frt Group, England Mar 1944, Right Captain Walter Beckham, 353rd Ftr Gp. This picture was taken at Boxted when both were vying for top ace of the 8th Air Force. This same week both were invited as guests with Queen Elizabeth- at Buckingham palace, London. Both are still living as Colonels (retired) Mahurin in [illegible], Beckham in [illegible].'

Capt Walter C Beckham, [ De Funiak Springs, Fla ], poses by the tail of a Republic P-47 at an air base somewhere in England. NARA Ref 3A11484-3A12647.

Major Walter C Beckham (R). 351st Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-8476 YJ-X "Little Demon".

Major Walter C Beckham. 351st Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-8476 YJ-X "Little Demon". Running the engine up is crew chief S/Sgt. Henry E Bush Jr.

Major Walter C Beckham (Left) [ De Funiak Springs, Fla ] and S/Sgt. Henry E Bush, Jr [ Easley, SC ], discuss their latest mission in front of a Republic P-47 at an air base somewhere in England. NARA Ref 3A11484-3A12647.