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.
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
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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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=…