James Malcolm Becker

West Point, 1946

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Frank C. Schoen on August 5, 2000:

In June, 1946 Jim spent two weeks visiting us on our ranch in southern Wyoming. I invited him there to try out the trout fishing and was delighted when he accepted. The Medicine Bow River through the ranch had been fished very little during the war and was loaded with fish. I'm not talking about little ones; these were lunkers in the 15-25 inch range, and we caught lots. We also fished in the mountains and on many other ranches in the area, enjoying success, and Jim making friends, wherever we went. Our nights were not neglected, either. I was dating Anna Lee (who shortly thereafter became my wife, and still is) and Jim would date a friend of Anna Lee's. In those days southern Wyoming was wide open; the little town of Saratoga was like a little Las Vegas and we all had the time of our lives. Jim, with his friendly personality made friends wherever he went. As recently as two years ago (1998) an old-timer there asked me, "Whatever happened to that fine young lieutenant who went fishing on my place shortly after the War?" I regretted having to tell him that Jim was killed in Korea. I only saw Jim one time after that. When we artillerymen went to Ft. Benning for the last few days of our basic course, I went to Jim's house, where I met his bride.

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