| Remember to click on the thumbnail to see full size photo |
| BG John Baer USAF Retired |
| Al Benton |
| 396th Fighter Squadron Photo Album Page A-C |
| Dennis Crisp 396th FS Commanding Officer |
| Dave Boss |
Joseph S. Busenbark
KIA/MIA 23Dec44
MACR# 11428 Shot down by FW-190 near
Bleckhausen, Germany
P-47D S/N 42-76482
Cemetery: Netherlands Wall of the Missing
KIA/MIA 23Dec44
MACR# 11428 Shot down by FW-190 near
Bleckhausen, Germany
P-47D S/N 42-76482
Cemetery: Netherlands Wall of the Missing
| LTC Frank Perego & Dennis Crisp |
| Lawrence Cosner |
| Don Campbell |
| Austin Carr & Meredith Henry |
| 07Aug44 Me-109 |
| 17Dec44 FW-190 |
| 18Dec44 Me-109 |
| 23Dec44 FW-190 x 2 |
| 23Dec44 FW-190 |
| Dr. Jack E. Cox, MD 396th FS Flight Surgeon |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Brigadier General John W. Baer
1943 graduate of West Point
Served as commander 396th FS & Deputy Commander 368th FG during WW2.
BG Baer retired with over 4,000 flying hours.
Click here to read official USAF biography
1943 graduate of West Point
Served as commander 396th FS & Deputy Commander 368th FG during WW2.
BG Baer retired with over 4,000 flying hours.
Click here to read official USAF biography
| Along with the Silver Star, John Baer was awarded 3 DFC's & 20 Air Medals during his WW2 service. |
| Loyd Baughman |
| Loyd Baughman 1943 & today |
| Ross Bedford Armorer |
| Chuck Brimmer |
1st Lt. John L. Carter
KIA 02July44
MACR #6486, Shot down by
flak near Torngny, France.
P-47D 42-76325
Cemetery: Mount Evergreen,
Jackson, MI
KIA 02July44
MACR #6486, Shot down by
flak near Torngny, France.
P-47D 42-76325
Cemetery: Mount Evergreen,
Jackson, MI
| Howard Carter |
| Casey |
| Sammy Curcio |
| John Corcoleotes |
| Albert Aquino |
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to
Captain John W. Baer, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Pilot of the
368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action on 23 December 1944. While he was leading a squadron of fighters in the area of Koblenz,
Germany, Captain Baer observed a formation of more than thirty-five FW 190's and ME 109's attacking three boxes of B-26's. Determined
to protect the bombers, he directed his squadron in a vigorous assault upon the enemy; and despite their numerical superiority Captain
Baer made repeated attacks, and by the force of these assaults nullified the enemy mission. By his unusual aerial proficiency Captain Baer
personally accounted for the destruction of two of the thirteen enemy planes destroyed by his squadron.
General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 43 (March 6, 1945)
Captain John W. Baer, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Pilot of the
368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action on 23 December 1944. While he was leading a squadron of fighters in the area of Koblenz,
Germany, Captain Baer observed a formation of more than thirty-five FW 190's and ME 109's attacking three boxes of B-26's. Determined
to protect the bombers, he directed his squadron in a vigorous assault upon the enemy; and despite their numerical superiority Captain
Baer made repeated attacks, and by the force of these assaults nullified the enemy mission. By his unusual aerial proficiency Captain Baer
personally accounted for the destruction of two of the thirteen enemy planes destroyed by his squadron.
General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 43 (March 6, 1945)