Another Is Accounted For
DPAA’s “Recently Accounted For” webpage and/or recent press releases indicate that the following formerly-missing US personnel have been accounted for.
From World War II
Lt. Col. Addison E. Baker, US Army, assigned to the 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force, US Army Air Forces, was lost IVO Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August 1943. His accounting was announced on 13 April 2022. (see note)
From Korea
None
From Southeast Asia
None
Welcome back, elder brother-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.
Rest easy. You’re home now.
. . .
Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,500 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; and over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA). Additionally, 126 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Cold War; 5 remain unaccounted for from the Gulf Wars; and 1 individual remains unaccounted for from Operation Eldorado Canyon.
Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered. The same is true for remains which may be recovered in the future.
On their web site’s Contact Us page DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and is found in one of the FAQs.
If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts who has not yet been accounted for and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.
Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.
—–
Author’s Note: Lt. Col. Baker was one of 5 US Airmen awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions IVO Ploesti during Operation Tidal Wave. Three of these were awarded posthumously, including Baker’s.
Lt. Col. Baker’s accounting was announced this week via DPAA Press Release; however, his name does not yet seem to appear on DPAA’s Recently Accounted For webpage. While DPAA released other Press Releases this week announcing the accounting of other individuals, these other individuals were previously noted in past “No Longer Missing” articles here at TAH.
Category: No Longer Missing
Welcome home.
Thanks Hondo, and now the rest of the story.
Lt. Col. Addison E. Baker was born on 1 January, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois.
Addison Baker initially enlisted as a private in the Regular Army in 1929, and received his wings and commission in 1931, before leaving active duty in 1932. He served in the Ohio National Guard and was recalled to active duty in 1940 and promoted to Captain. In February 1942, he joined the 93rd Bomb Group at Barksdale Field, Louisiana., 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 was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Group commander by May 1943.
In the summer of 1943, Baker was dispatched to North Africa with the 93rd Bomb Group to take part in Operation Tidal Wave, to bomb the oil refineries at Ploesti. Baker piloted the B-24D Liberator, Hell’s Wench, 42-40994, on the Ploesti mission.
Upon reaching the target area, the Group Lead Pilot, Col. K.K. Compton, of the 93rd Bomb Group turned at the wrong point and headed for Bucharest !
Baker and several other shocked pilots behind Compton, attempted to warn the element command pilot, but, when Compton failed to respond,
Baker broke formation and led the remainder of the men in the 93rd Bomb Group, who wanted to attack their targets, back toward Ploesti.
On approach to the target, Hell’s Wench, took two direct flak hits, causing Baker to jettison his bombs as both of his wings were hit, the aircraft began leaking fuel, and became engulfed in flames.
At almost the same time, Baker had to break formation and pull up to give his men a last desperate chance to bail out and live.
As Col. Baker and his copilot, Major John Jerstad, made an attempt to gain altitude, so that his crew could escape their burning plane by parachute, the aircraft lost speed in the climb, stalled, rolled over, crashed, and exploded in flames, killing everyone aboard.
The crew:
SSG. George Allen (Gunner)TSGT. Charles Bennett (Turret Gunner)TSGT. John Carroll (Top Turret Gunner)SSG. Edgar Faith (Waist Gunner)MAJ. John Jerstad (Command Pilot)1LT. Alfre Pezzella (Bombardier)1LT. George Reuter (Navigator)SSG. Morton Stafford (Gunner)SSG. William Wood (Tail Gunner) COMMENDATIONS
★ Medal of Honor
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Silver Star
★ Air Medal (3)
★ Purple Heart
★ United States Aviator Badge Army
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Lt. Col. Addison E. Baker
Welcome Home, Warrior. And Rest Easy, Good Sir. A Salute to your Service and Honors paid for your Sacrifice.
Thanks, Hondo. And more Thanks to our very own SKYJUMPER for bringing us the rest of the story on this Hero. Y’all stand by to help eat this Easter Dinner with me.
{slow Salute}
A grateful nation remembers. Welcome Home, Sir.
Welcome home, Lt. Col. Baker.
Welcome home Brother. Rest in peace now.
Welcome Home.
Does anyone know any details of the finding of these bodies from Ploesti? I noticed a bunch of them recently.