John Joseph Becker was born on August 17, 1918, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was the son of Joseph Becker Sr. He attended Shady Side Academy and Mercersburg Academy, and later, the University of Colorado, from which he graduated in 1941. He enlisted on February 11, 1941, and received his commission the following year. He served in the 701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-24 #44-10490 during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, B-24J #44-10490, known as “Jane” (sometimes recorded as “Big Jane”), was lost during the Eighth Air Force bombing mission against the Henschel industrial works at Kassel, Germany. During the operation, the 445th Bomb Group became separated from the main bomber stream and was heavily attacked by large numbers of German fighter aircraft. In the running battle that followed, B-24J 44-10490 was shot down and crashed near Lauchroden, Germany, in central Germany. The aircraft’s destruction proved catastrophic, with only the pilot surviving while the remaining crew members were killed.

2Lt Becker was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.445bg.org, www.americanairmuseum.com