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2nd Lt John G. Beck graduated from Circleville High School in 1941. He was employed at Curtis-Wright plant.

He enlisted in Columbus, Ohio on 20 January 1943.

Statement from MACR:
"Pilot Kirk reported that the aircraft went out of control just as the formation entered a cloud formation at flight level - 18000 feet. He believes it was due to rough air and severe prop wash. When the A/C went out of control it was in solid clouds, with visibility zero. He and the Co-Pilot endeavored to regain control of the A/C , which had turned over on its back and then into a spin. After their combined efforts proved unsuccesful, Pilot Kirk called the crew on interphone and ordered them to abandon A/C. The pilot then put on his chute and made for the navigators escape hatch, jumping therefrom. About 2 seconds after jumping the pilot opened his chute. He believes he was at about 1000 feet when his chute opened. He reports that he did not see or hear A/C crash, nor could he see smoke or fire anywhere in the vicinity after his landing. He landed amongst the trees in a woods or forest about 4 miles due east of Sulzbach, Germany. The territory was still held by German soldiers. He did amongst the trees in the woods until the following morning - 22 April 1945. He then made his way to the town of Sulzbach. Here he met a German woman and went with her to her home where he was given hot coffee and sandwiches. While there talking with the German woman and her daughter aged 6, two American soldiers entered the hosue and advised that their Army was taking over this town, having just captured it. Lt. Kirk turned himself over to these soldiers and was escorted to their Commanding Officer who in turn sent him on to their Regimental Hqs, thence to Divisional Hqs, thence to Paris and thence back to home Base. Lt. Kirk reported that he told each Commanding Officer at each Hq, to which he was taken, the exact place of his parachute landing and they each in turn advised him that a search would be made for his crew and craft. He asked that he remain and accompany them in the search, however, this request was refused. Nothing further is known of the crew or craft."