Milton Becket, lawyer and WWII decorated veteran

Milton Becket, 92, of Berwyn, a lawyer and decorated World War II Army veteran, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, of congestive heart failure at home.

Known as "Mickey," Mr. Becket was born in Philadelphia to William and Anna Becket. At various times, he also lived in Pittsburgh, and New York City, but he had made Berwyn his home since 1988.

He graduated from Central High School, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Mr. Becket was assigned to Company A of the 179th Infantry Regiment, the 45th Infantry Division, known as the Thunderbirds. Company A consisted of "your basic combat foot soldier who bore the brunt of combat," Mr. Becket wrote in an account of his wartime experiences for his family.

The regiment was sent to Sicily in 1943 for the beginning of the invasion of Italy. It fought its way up the coast, captured Naples, and in 1944 joined the Allied Anzio Campaign to oust the German army from Rome. Allied forces took possession of the city on June 4, 1944.

Both sides "used an incredible amount of artillery at Anzio, and it is the only place where trench warfare was used during the Second World War," Mr. Becket told the Suburban and Wayne Times. He was wounded in action, but returned to battle.

The regiment then was ordered to France and advanced into Germany. It captured Aschaffenburg, Nuremberg, and Munich.

In an article published in the Philadelphia Record during the war and quoted in the Times, Mr. Becket told of crossing the Rhine River into Germany: "All you could hear were the motors. We started across the beach, and whango, the fireworks opened up. Machine guns and rifles banged away. We had orders not to get pinned down, so my squad kept going."

Mr. Becket received three Purple Hearts for wounds sustained on March 10 and May 6, 1944, in Italy, and Sept. 26, 1944, in France.

He also was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during the fighting in Italy and the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his service in defense of France during World War II.

In November 1945, he was honorably discharged to the Army Reserve with the rank of second lieutenant. He retired from the reserve in April 1953 with the rank of captain.

"Mickey's active military service paused only for time spent in the hospital for wounds received in combat (from which he would typically escape early, to return to his combat unit), and for time spent diving in the Allied Olympics," his family wrote in a tribute.

Mr. Becket put himself through college and law school on the GI Bill, and opened a law practice in Philadelphia. He moved the firm to Wayne and then Malvern.

He set up a computer system to help manage his work long before it was routine in law offices, and became an innovator and respected leader in his field. He continued working well into his 80s. His firm, now called Becket & Lee L.L.P., is run by his children and their partners.

While in college and overseas, Mr. Becket pursued his passion for diving, competing and performing in water shows. Later, he judged collegiate diving competitions.

Mr. Becket "had the restless heart of a sailor," sailing on family trips, and owning the sloop Bellerina for many years. He could be seen on summer weekends in the Great Egg Harbor bay and inlet, and off Absecon Island, N.J.

"Mickey was known for his zest for life and great sense of humor. He was a gregarious and generous gentleman, who rarely denied anyone anything within his power to grant," his family said. In keeping with that, he left the bulk of his estate to charitable causes.

He is survived by daughters Anne Barrie Fila, Georgi, and Alane A.; sons Scott, James, and William; and 10 grandchildren.

Services and burial will be private.

Donations may be made to the Becket Family Foundation, Box 1342, Malvern, Pa. 19355. The foundation was created by Mr. Becket to support humanitarian and educational causes.

bcook@phillynews.com

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