Finger Lakes Today

Senator Pam Helming has announced that World War II veteran George Becker of Riga is the 54th District’s 2024 inductee to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

George Becker achieved the rank of Electrician’s Mate Second Class in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in 1942 at age 17 and attended boot camp and Navy Class A school at Sampson Naval Training Station in Romulus. In August 1943, he shipped out to Treasure Island in California and was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS Emery, a destroyer escort. The USS Emery departed for the South Pacific in October 1943, joining a task force involved in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands one month later. After returning to Pearl Harbor in December 1943, the USS Emery participated in the invasion of the Marshall Islands in January 1944.

Mr. Becker was part of several subsequent protection and escort missions during World War II. His last assignment was aboard the USS Admiral W.S. Sims, a troop transport ship commissioned after the end of the war. When Japan formally surrendered on V-J Day, September 2, 1945, Mr. Becker's ship was designated to bring American troops home, making two trips to Manila and one trip to Okinawa, bringing back almost 5,000 troops on each voyage.

For his service, Mr. Becker received several medals including the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

After his military service ended, Mr. Becker worked for Rochester Gas & Electric for 41 years and continued serving his community as a member of various local boards including a tenure as chairman of the Town Planning Board for eight years.

George met his wife Florence in summer 1940; they married on October 25, 1947, after dating during his time in service. They were together for nearly 61 years until Florence passed away. The couple had four sons: David, Douglas, Daniel, and Bruce.

Senator Helming commented on Mr. Becker's recognition: “Less than one percent of the 16 million veterans who served during World War II are with us today. We should know their stories and that’s why I’m so honored to recognize Mr. Becker in this way... He is a deeply humble man and a family man deserving of our appreciation and respect.”

The Becker family expressed their pride: “Dad is a very unassuming and humble man who has never sought recognition for himself... We would like to thank Legislator Steve Brew and Senator Helming for this honor.”

Monroe County Legislator Steve Brew also shared his thoughts: “It was a profound honor to nominate fellow Riga native George Becker for this prestigious recognition... George’s humility... exemplify[s] the very essence of American exceptionalism.”

Mr. Becker was recognized on Tuesday at a ceremony held at Albany's Veterans Hall of Fame.

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