Martin Becker
Martin Becker (12 April 1916 – 8 February 2006) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during World War II, a night fighter ace credited with 58 aerial victories making him the tenth most successful night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare. All of his victories were claimed over the Western Front in Defense of the Reich missions, the majority at night against the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Bomber Command and one daytime claim over a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
Born in Wiesbaden, Becker grew up in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany. Following graduation from school, he joined the military service in 1936 and was trained as an air observer and was posted to a bomber wing and participated in the Battle of France. In September 1940, he started flight training. In 1943, Becker was posted to a night fighter wing and claimed his first aerial victory on the night of 23/24 September 1943. Following his 26th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 April 1944 and was given command IV. Gruppe of Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6–6th Night Fighter Wing) in October 1944. On 20 March 1945, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Becker, who flew approximately 110 combat missions, died on 8 February 2006 in Oberneisen.
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