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name
BAKER, Fred William Theodore - Date of
birth
1 July 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Rock Valley, Sioux County, Iowa -
Hometown
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
06864208 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Assisant Platoon Commander -
Unit
3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized),
B Troop
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
1 September 1944 - Place of
death
Thionville, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 36 | 41 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Neal Baker (father)
Catherine H. (Dirksen) Baker (mother)
Dorothy M. Baker (sister)
Lorraine E. Baker (sister)
Dorothy I. Baker (wife)
More information
S/Sgt Fred W. T. Baker joined the Regular Army on 14 January 1939.He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for his action on the day of his death. The citation cited: For gallantry in action as a member of Troop B, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) on 1 September 1944 in Thionville, France. S/Sgt Baker was on an advance reconnaissance mission with his platoon which was attempting to capture a bridge that the enemy was trying to destroy. On receiving word that his platoon commander, who was across the bridge, was seriously injured, S/Sgt Baker drove across in his vehicle, dismounted in utter disregard for his own personal safety, to assist the commander, and take charge of the platoon. While so engaged S/Sgt Baker was shot and mortally wounded. S/Sgt Baker's display of courage was an inspiration to all around him and was in keeping with the highest military traditions.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.findagrave.com – Fargo, www.newspapers.com – Deadwood Pioneer Times - 16 April 1944, https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/113673
Photo source: -, www.newspapers.com - Argus-Leader - www.findagrave.com – Andy / Fargo