John Arthur Beck was born on October 2, 1921, in Davidson County, North Carolina. He was the son of Thomas Lindsay Beck and Mary Snider Beck. He was married to Rachel Beamer "Rae" Atkinson Logan. He served in the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of B-17F #42-5788 nicknamed 'Pluto's Avenger' and also known as 'A.O.G. Not in Stock,' during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during Mission #111 to Aschersleben, Germany, B-17F #42-5788 Pluto's Avenger was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft remained in a controlled shallow dive with its #4 engine smoking before crashing near Duffel, 15 km southwest of Antwerp, Belgium. Tragically, four crew members died and six others became prisoners of war, while Major George Weinbrenner evaded capture and returned to the UK in September 1944.

TSgt Beck was captured and imprisoned at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow, Pomerania. He died on March 2, 1996, and is now buried in the Floral Garden Memorial Park, High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/