Walter C. Beckham

Walter Carl Beckham (May 16, 1916 – May 31, 1996) was a United States Army Air Forces officer during World War II and an American ace credited with 18 air-to-air victories. He remained in the Air Force after the war, obtained a Ph.D. in physics and was a nuclear weapons scientist.

Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star with three bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross with four bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal with silver oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with bronze oak leaf clusterPrisoner of War MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with bronze campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starAir Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonCroix de Guerre, with Palm (Belgium)

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Beckham, Walter C. Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force Date of Action: October 10, 1943

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, in action over enemy occupied Europe on 10 October 1943, while serving as a flight leader on a mission escorting withdrawing bombers. Major Beckham destroyed at unfavorable altitude two enemy aircraft as a result of his aggressiveness and the viciousness of his attacks. Though almost out of ammunition and with a dwindling fuel supply, he voluntarily engaged two additional aircraft. One of the planes he destroyed with the last of his ammunition and the other he drove from the combat area by simulated attack. The courage and aggressiveness of Major Beckham have been an inspiration to his fellow pilots and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.