Addison Baker
|
|
Lieutenant Colonel Addison E. Baker (January 1 1907 – August 1, 1943) was commander of the 93rd Heavy Bombardment Group in the U.S. Army Air Corps who led his group during Operation Tidalwave, the low-altitude Allied bombing of oil refineries in Ploiesti, Romania.
On August 1, 1943, the 93rd Heavy Bombardment Group took to the air at Benghazi, Libya. Piloting Hell's Wench, a B-24 Liberator (Serial 42-40994), Baker led the 93rd on the raid. Although Hell's Wench was in flames and had been seriously damaged by German anti-aircraft guns, Baker maintained formation and bombed his target. Subsequently, Baker broke formation to avoid a mid-air collision, and attempted to gain altitude so that he and his crew could escape by parachute. Despite his efforts, Hell's Wench crashed and exploded near its target, killing Baker and the other nine airmen aboard.
On March 11, 1944, Baker was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.