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Personal info

Full name
BAKER, David L
Date of birth
11 April 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Preble County, Ohio
Hometown
Butler County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
35665026
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
9 October 1943
Place of death
Baltic Sea south of the Danish Island of Langeland

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 39 28

Immediate family

Members
Glenn Baker (father)
Ruby Baker (mother)
Elmer Baker (brother)
Pearl J. Baker (sister)
Marie Baker (sister)
Frank Baker (brother)
Iva M. Baker (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30772
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Anklam, Germany
MACR: 895

More information

S/Sgt David L. Baker enlisted in Cincinnati, Ohio on 10 October 1942. He was sent overseas on 9 September 1943.

On the return flight from Anklam shortly after noon 42-30772 was hit by rockets fired from a two engine aircraft which set the inboard engine on fire and made it necessary feather the right inboard propeller. It also wounded the ball turret gunner S/Sgt Harold Goldberger and the Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Charles W. Hull severely. The bombardier 2nd Lt James A. Fullerton and the Navigator 1st Lt Harry Cliffe bailed out and on the way down Cliffe saw that the left wing had broken off and that the fuselage had broken in half.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.flensted.eu.com/19420105.shtml

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Toni Keesler, www.flensted.eu.com/19430105.shtml