World War, 1939-1945

This is a view from the window were Richard Beckman stayed his first night in Berlin, Germany. According to his oral history, Beckman said this was an abandoned hospital that the Russian forces designated for his unit to stay at upon arrival.

Richard Beckman, left, stands on a porch of a home in Halle, Germany next to an unknown man. Beckman was a United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agent during World War II.

Milton Kroll and Richard Beckman board airplane in Weimar, Germany headed for Paris, France. Kroll, right, and Beckman, left, were United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agents during World War II.

Richard Beckman, a United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agent during World War II, poses for a photo while he was in Bielefeld, Germany waiting to be sent to Berlin.

Milton Kroll and Richard Beckman prepare to board a plane from Weimar, German to Paris, France. Knoll and Beckman were United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agents during World War II.

From left, Walter Maurovitch, Carl Morisse, and Richard Beckman sit at a table in the home they were staying in while in Halle, Germany. They were United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agents during World War II.

From left, Walter Maurovitch, Richard Beckman, Fleck (no first name known), and Frank Cannon in Halle, Germany. They were United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agents during World War II.

Richard Beckman stands up inside a military Jeep as his unit moves from Bielefeld to Halle, Germany. Richard Beckman was a United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agent during World War II.

Richard Beckman stands near a doorway while in Brussels, Belgium. Beckman was a United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agent during World War II.

A group of United States Army Criminal Investigation Detachment Agents during World War II pose for a photo. They were ready to leave Halle, Germany and move on to Berlin. Richard Beckman is far right, front row. Others are unidentified.