Early Life in Seneca, Kansas
Bernard A. Becker was born and raised in Seneca, Kansas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Becker. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and was known in his community for his warm personality, musical talent, and cheerful disposition. A gifted vocalist, Bernard frequently performed at both church and local events, endearing himself to neighbors of all ages.
Enlistment and Early Military Service
In September 1941, shortly before the U.S. entry into World War II, Bernard enlisted in the Army Air Forces. He began his training at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, and was assigned duties as a troop train supervisor, which occasionally brought him near home at Fort Leavenworth.
By October 1942, Bernard had been promoted to sergeant and transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada, to undergo specialized training as an aerial gunner. He was then assigned to a B-17 Flying Fortress crew, where he served as both a radio operator and a ball turret gunner.
Deployment and Combat Missions
S/Sgt. Becker was deployed overseas in April 1943. He participated in several significant air campaigns, including shuttle raids between England and North Africa—a daring tactic used to maximize bombing reach and reduce predictability for enemy defenses.
Flying aboard a B-17, Bernard was part of a crew tasked with strategic bombing missions deep into enemy-held territory. These missions were grueling, often requiring long flights under heavy anti-aircraft fire and relentless attacks from German fighter planes.
Missing in Action over France
On September 6, 1943, during a return flight from a bombing mission over Stuttgart, Germany, Bernard’s plane was lost approximately 60 miles southeast of Paris, France. The B-17 was downed during the mission, and Bernard was declared missing in action. Hope lingered, however—word reached his family through fellow crew members that Bernard had successfully parachuted from the plane and was seen gathering his chute before disappearing into a wooded area.
For more than a year, Bernard remained officially listed as missing. His family clung to the hope that he had survived and perhaps joined the French Resistance. In November 1944, even after the customary one-year review, the War Department chose to continue listing him as missing rather than presume his death, offering a rare glimmer of hope for the Becker family.
Final Declaration and Recognition
In April 1945, the War Department officially declared Bernard A. Becker deceased. His family was notified and received his Purple Heart, awarded posthumously in recognition of his sacrifice. They also received a citation signed by President Harry S. Truman, acknowledging Bernard’s service and heroism.
A memorial mass was held on November 15, 1945, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. Members of the Knights of Columbus, of which Bernard was a member, joined the service to honor their fallen brother.
A Family of Service
Bernard was one of six sons in the Becker family. Two of his brothers also served in the military: Warrant Officer Edmund Becker with the 17th Airborne Division in France and Ensign Ralph Becker stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Another brother, Justin, worked as a flight engineer with TWA. Bernard’s sacrifice was part of a larger family commitment to service during World War II.
Legacy
Staff Sergeant Bernard A. Becker’s life exemplifies courage, patriotism, and selflessness. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, community, and nation. Though he never returned home, his story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war—and the enduring strength of hope, faith, and remembrance.
Sources
Courier Tribune
2 Mar 1942
page 1
Corporal Bernard Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. J. Becker is stationed at Sheppard Field, Tex. Duties connected with troops movement brought him to Ft. Leavenworth recently and he was able to have a short visit home.
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Courier Tribune
25 Jun 1942
page 2
Corporal Bernard Becker, Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, came Tuesday evening to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. J. Becker. Bernard has a 15-day furlough.
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Courier Tribune
22 Oct 1942
page 2
Ed. J. Becker received word from his son, Sgt. Bernard Becker last week that he has been sent to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he will receive training as an aerial gunner. His new address is Student Det Class 12-46, AFGS, Las Vegas, Nevada. Bernard has been stationed at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, and has been troop train supervisor several months.
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Courier tribune
30 Mar 1944
page 1
No Direct Word Received
from S/Sgt. Bernard Becker
Mr. and Mrs. Ed J. Becker have received no authentic information regarding their son, Bernard, staff sergeant and radio man on a bomber and reported missing since Sept. 6. Mr. and Mrs. Becker had learned however from relatives of members of Bernard’s crew, that there are German prisoners of war also that the navigator and bombardier have returned to their base in England. All of this information is encouraging to the Becker family and they are hoping they may soon have word of their own son.
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Courier Tribune
20 Nov 1944
page 1
Still Listed as Missing
AFTER 14. MONTHS TIME
S/Sgt. Bernard Becker
Retained on Missing
List By Officials
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Becker, Seneca, have received word from the Adjutant’s office, Washington, D. C., that their son, S/Sgt. Bernard A. Becker, is to be continued in the status of “missing in action.” He has been missing since Sept. 6, 1943 in the European area.
According to law, the case of each person who has been missing in action for 12 months, is reviewed by the War Department, and in most cases, at least in this area, the soldier or sailor has been declared legally dead. This conclusion was not made in the case of Bernard Becker, staff sergeant and ball turret gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress. The bomber was lost south of Paris, France, while returning from a bombing mission to Stuttgart, Germany, on September 6th of last year.
A recent letter to Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Becker, Seneca, from J. A. Ulio, stated that all information concerning S/Sgt. Becker was carefully reviewed and considered and an official determination was made as of September 7, 1944, continuing him in the status of missing in action.
This information added hope to Mr. and Mrs. Becker’s belief that their son is still alive. They believe him to be somewhere in France, perhaps with underground forces.
The office of the Adjutant General further informed Mr. and Mrs. Becker that they would receive immediate notification of any change in their son’s status.
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Courier Tribune
30 Apr 1945
page 1
Seneca Flier Listed Lost
After Two Year Wait
War Department Notifies Mr: and Mrs. Ed. Becker Of Son, Bernard’s Death
‘s/Sgt. ‘Bernard Becker, radio operator and gunner on a B-17 Bomber, reported missing after September 6, 1943 is now declared dead by the War Department of the United States, according to word received about ten days ago in Seneca. For more than a year longer than usual, Bernard was retained on the missing list because there was no evidence to indicate otherwise.
The news came as quite a shock to Mr. and Mrs. Ed J. Becker even though they had received no definite information on which to base their hopes that their son was alive outside of the fact that one of the crew members said he had seen Bernard alight on the ground after leaving the plane by parachute, talked to him and had seen him pick up his chute and disappear in a wooded area near where he landed. This information came to the Beckers from their son, Edmund, who talked to the other flier.
Last year in September, a year after Bernard was reported missing, the government notified MrMr. and Mrs. Becker that he was being retained on that status. Bernard’s plane went down some 60 miles Southeast of Paris. Wednesday, Mr and Mrs. Becker received the Purple Heart Award in recognition of their son’s sacrifice, also a citation from President Truman.
Bernard was near his 26 th birthday when reported lost two years ago. He was born and raised in Seneca, attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and was a general favorite with people, both old and young because of his very friendly nature and cheerful disposition. He was a talented vocalist and often appeared on programs given by the church and general community programs as well. He entered service in September 1941, went overseas in April 1943. He took part in shuttle raids from England to Africa and back in 1942.
There are five other sons in the Becker family, two in service, one with TWA and two at home. They are Warrant Officer Edmund Becker, with the 17 th Airborne Division, Paratroopers, in France, who expects to arrive home in September; Ensign Ralph Becker: Norfolk, Va.; Justin has a responsible position as flight engineer with TWA and hopes to visit his parents soon.
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Becker and family are hopeful that they may still receive word of their son’s safety even though the government has found it advisable to declare him legally lost.
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Courier Tribune
12 Nov 1945
page 1
Memorial Thursday For S Sgt. Bernard A. Becker,
The memory of S Sgt. Bernard A. Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed J. Becker, will be honored in a mass Thursday morning in Sts. Peter and Paul church, Seneca, at nine o’clock.
Sgt. Becker lost his life in Europe more than two years ago but was retained on the missing list more than year because no information was received to verify his death. He was a radio operator and gunner on a Bomber which went down 60 miles Southeast of Paris.
Bernard was 26 years old when reported missing. He served in the early air activity against the enemy in Europe, from African bases.
Notice to K. of C. Members
Members of Knights of Columbus will attend Memorial Services for Bro. Bernard Becker at Seneca, Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9:00 a.m. — John D. Cunningham, G.K.