Addison E. Baker

Addison Baker enlisted as a private in the Regular Army at Fort Haves, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1929, and served for a year at Fort Crockett, Texas. Appointed a flying cadet in February 1930, he trained at Brooks and Kelly Fields, Texas, and on Feb. 27, 1931, received his wings and second lieutenant's commission.

He served at Selfridge Field, Mich., went off active duty in February 1932, and was recalled in November 1940, and assigned to the 112th Observation Squadron at Pope Field, N.C., as pilot and athletic officer, and rank of captain.

In February 1942, he joined the 93rd Bomb Group at Barksdale Field, La., and in May was promoted to major and given command of the group's 328th Bomb Squadron as it left for the European Theater.

In combat he rose to Group commander by May 1943, with promotion to lieutenant colonel. He was killed in action that Aug. 1, while leading his group on a bombing raid on Ploesti, Rumania. As he was approaching the target, Colonel Baker's B-24 Liberator bomber was hit by a large anti-aircraft shell. He refused.to jeopardize this key mission by breaking up the formation and he continued to lead his group to the target. During its bombing run, his plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed, but not before he dropped his bombs on the target and avoided crashing into the other B-24s in his formation. Baker’s remains were not identified following the crash. Remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.

Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.

In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.

To identify Baker’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.

Baker’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

The posthumous award of the Medal of Honor reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 1 August 1943. On this date he led his command, the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a large-caliber antiaircraft shell, seriously damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact he was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused to jeopardize the mission by breaking up the lead formation and continued unswervingly to lead his group to the target upon which he dropped his bombs with devastating effect. Only then did he leave formation, but his valiant attempts to gain sufficient altitude for the crew to escape by parachute were unavailing and his aircraft crashed in flames after his successful efforts to avoid other planes in formation. By extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership, and intrepidity, Lt. Col. Baker rendered outstanding, distinguished, and valorous service to our nation."

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. with interment following at Arlington National Cemetery.

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