John B. Beckman

Providing Technical Skills

Headquarters 13th AAF, Southwest Pacific -- A Cedar Lake soldier is providing technical skills that help keep in action the heavy bombers of the 13th AAF.

Sergeant John B. Beckman, of Cedar Lake, a radio repairman, has completed 21 months of service with his Liberator squadron.

Striking from advance bases in the Southwest Pacific, Beckman's squadron is now engaged in the campaign to smash the last enemy outposts guarding the Philippines. B-24 bombers in Sergeant Beckman's squadron have fought from Guadalcanal to the Southwest Pacific in three major campaigns, blasting Jap airpower at the important bases of Rabual, Yap, and Truk. Sergeant Beckman entered the AAF in Spetember, 1940, after attending Purdue university and engaging in farming. He left the U.S. for service with the 13th AAF in October, 1942, and has earned these decorations: American Defense ribbon, Good Conduct ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon with three battle stars.

He is a member of the 13th's famous "Lone Ranger" group.

His mother, Mrs. H.C. Beckman, resides at Cedar Lake.