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name
BAIER, Franklin - Date of
birth
19 July 1922 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Austin, Mower County, Minnesota -
Hometown
Austin, Mower County, Minnesota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37438371 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Left Waist Gunner -
Unit
410th Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
18 March 1944 - Place of
death
About 500 mtrs. north of railroad Munich-Feldkirchen
Johanniskirchen-Feldkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 35 | 36 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank K. Baier (father)
Gertrude B. (Rindy) Baier (mother)
Marguerite H. Baier (sister)
David Baier (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37968 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Little Audrey
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aviation industry at Oberpfaffenhofen and Lechfeld air depot
MACR: 3418
More information
S/Sgt Franklin Baier attended Austin High School.According to statement in MACR:
"This aircraft was attacked by two enemy aircraft at 1435 hours, #2 engine was set on fire. Pilot either temporarily lost control or side slipped to extinguish fire, was caught in prop wash of aircraft ahead. This aircraft slid under #7 position at moment incendiaries were away at target. One bomb hit left wing, setting wing tip on fire. Aircraft peeled to left, went into dive, extinghuished flames, leveled off and fell back of formation. Was believed to be hit by flak at target, #2 engine again burst into flame. Aircraft circled , four men made delayed jumps , tail gunner believed to have beenhung in escape hatch, though not certain. Tail was seen to break off, aircraft went into steep dive, crashed and explosed. One aircraft reports seeing this aircraft losing altitude, continue straight ahead for 6 miles after Combat Wing turned. Aircraft went into spiral while on heading of 360 degrees, exploding at 5,000 feet."
S/Sgt Franklin Baier was first buried at Aschhein/Upper Bavaria Cemetery, Germany on 21 March 1944.
Source of information: André Koch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbooks - Austin High School Austin, Minnesota, 1940, The Austin Daily Herald - 7 May 1945