Richard Becker served briefly in World War II as an enlisted member of the Army Air Forces, and was honorably discharged in 1946. Less than two years later he returned to service as an officer in the new U.S. Air Force, subsequently flying combat in Korea, where he had 5 confirmed aerial victories to become the FIRST Korean War ACE. He was injured in an 1955 air accident including the loss of an eye, ending his flying career. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Major in 1970.
Sponsored by:
Richard
Samuel
Becker
December 4, 1926
–
January 5, 2015
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
334th Fighter Interceptor SquadronDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
Korean War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Richard Samuel Becker (AFSN: AO-1908494), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot, 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Captain [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
334th Fighter Interceptor SquadronDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
August 19, 1951
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 116 (February 26, 1952)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Richard Samuel Becker (AFSN: AO-1908494), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot, 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, on 19 August 1951. Leading a flight of four F-86 aircraft in the Sinanju area with the mission of protecting other United Nations forces, Captain Becker, accompanied only by his wingman, attacked a formation of six MiG-15 fighters. Unleashing a furious assault, he destroyed two of the enemy. So aggressive and tenacious was his attack that debris from the second MiG-15 caused extensive damage to his own aircraft. With consummate skill he maneuvered his damaged aircraft homeward and landed safely at his home base. The outstanding heroism and airmanship demonstrated by Captain Becker has reflected great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
334th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 9, 1951
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 574 (December 6, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Samuel Becker (AFSN: AO-1908494), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy as Pilot, 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 9 September 1951. On that date, Captain Becker led a flight of six F-86 aircraft on a combat aerial patrol in the Sinuiju-Yalu River area of North Korea. Shortly after arriving in the target area, Captain Becker’s flight sighted a formation of approximately 30 enemy MiG-15 planes in an advantageous position over his Squadron. He advised his squadron leader and the entire section turned to the attack. At this point, Captain Becker sighted a second enemy formation bearing down on his Squadron. Displaying outstanding airmanship, Captain Becker engaged this formation with a head-on pass, disrupting their planned assault and causing them to disperse. In the ensuing battle Captain Becker’s flight became separated. Captain Becker rolled out of this attack alone at 39,000 feet. He prepared to withdraw when he sighted an enemy formation of 12 MiG-15s preparing to enter the battle. Captain Becker, although alone and with no possibility of friendly assistance, flew into their midst. The brilliance of his vicious assault on the enemy and the dauntlessness with which he engaged this enemy force totally disrupted them. Skillfully bringing his guns to bear on one of the enemy, Captain Becker destroyed him. Continuing to engage the remainder of the enemy formation until low on fuel, Captain Becker then eluded then and returned to his home base. The destruction of the enemy MiG-15 brought Captain Becker’s score to five destroyed, one probably destroyed and two damaged in his 82 combat missions over North Korea, making him one of the JET aces in the world. Captain Becker’s heroism and his brilliant airmanship reflect great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.