SUBJECTS >> OPERATIONS >> World War II
AIRCRAFT >> BOMBERS >> B-24
Catalog Number:
1976.063
Location:
4E1010
Description:
Medal of Honor presented posthumously, 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Addison Earl Baker, born Chicago, Illinois, 1 January 1907, led his B-24 Bomber Group on an extremely hazardous low-level attack against enemy oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, 1 August 1943. Approaching the target, his B-24 was seriously damaged and set afire. Although flying over terrain suitable for landing, he refused to jeopardize the mission of the group and battled his way to the target, bombing it to devastating effect. Only then did he leave formation, avoiding other aircraft with superb airmanship. his valiant attempts to gain sufficient altitude for the crew to bail out were unavailing. Colonel Baker and his crew were killed when the flaming aircraft crashed. Not only did the artist try to portray LtCol Baker, but the strength of his companions on that fateful day when they gave their lives for an act of liberty.