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Submit- Full
name
BAKER, John Dale - Date of
birth
12 December 1921 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Dexter, Stoddard County, Missouri -
Hometown
Dexter, Stoddard County, Missouri
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17133510 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Aerial Gunner -
Unit
758th Bombardment Squadron,
459th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
9 June 1944 - Place of
death
Near Munich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
William O. Baker (father)
Florance M. (Kirby) Baker (mother)
Ralph L. Baker (brother)
Gervis Baker (brother)
William M. Baker (brother)
Opal M. Baker (sister)
Homer L. Baker (brother)
Richard D. Baker (brother)
George Baker (brother)
Frankie A. Baker (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40479 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Hogan’s Hellcats
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area and an air depot
MACR: 5849
More information
Sgt John D. Baker attended the University of Missouri for one year. He was an inspector before he joined the Army in St. Louis, Missouri on 15 December 1942.2nd Lt Leonard Brosky: "We dropped bombs and I think about 5 seconds later we went into a spin. I saw the Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Engineer try to leave their seats. I was navigating from the flight deck and using the Radio Operator's table. After my chute opened I looked for other chutes but did not see them. I heard from a gunner in a ship in front of us and the same Squadron that it blew up in the vicinity of Munich. I don't even remember how my chute opened.
Sgt Baker's remains were never recovered.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Baker Family Tree, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com, WWII Draft Card, Missouri Birth Register
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Have Paws will travel / 50thAIB