BAKER, James S | Fields of Honor

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Personal info

Full name
BAKER, James S

Date of birth
4 November 1920

Age
23

Place of birth
Bradley County, Arkansas

Hometown
Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas

Military service

Service number
18167235

Rank
Sergeant

Function
Waist Gunner

Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy

Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action

Date of death
24 May 1944

Place of death
North Sea, off the coast of Tönnig, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes

Plot	Row	Grave
D	14	48

Immediate family

Members
James T. Baker (father)
Nannie Z. Baker (mother)
Earnest L. Baker (brother)
Thomas B. Baker (brother)
Della I. Baker (sister)
Myrtice L. Baker (sister)
Rose Baker (sister)
Herman L. Baker (brother)
Gladys E. Baker (sister)
Laura (Cooper) Baker (wife)
Robert Baker (son)

Plane data

Serial number
42-97787

Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 5173

More information

Sgt James S. Baker worked in a textile factory. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Just before making a 120° turn to avoid Heligoland and enter the enemy coast, the airplane was observed to be on fire after being attacked by enemy fighters. A tail gunner of another plane saw eight men bail out.

Only one crew member survived and was taken prisoner, nine were killed.

Sgt Baker's body washed ashore on 17 June 1944 and was buried at the cemetery of Sankt Peter-Ording the same day.

This was his only mission.

His brother Herman L. Baker is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery.

He is remembered at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas.