World War II Honoree

William Milton Baker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Charlotte, North Carolina

Honored By

Lynn Baker Dermott & William Randolph Baker

Relationship

Daughter & Son

'BILL' BAKER WAS A CREW MEMBER WITH THE 388TH BOMBER GROUP AS A TOP TURRET ENGINEER GUNNER. HIS CREW WAS ASSIGNED TO THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS 'MOONLIGHT SERENADE' ON WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE AIRCRAFT'S FINAL FLIGHT. DURING THE MISSION, A BOMBING RAID ON STUTTGART, GERMANY THE PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN BY THE GERMANS. BILL AND THE CREW PARACHUTED INTO THE MOUNTAINS IN FRANCE. THERE HE AND OTHER CREW MEMBERS SURVIVED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND SUCCESSFULLY EVADED CAPTURE BY THE GERMANS. THEY RELIED ON THE SURVIVAL TRAINING RECEIVED IN THE AIR FORCE, THEIR PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND WERE ALSO HELPED IN THEIR EVASION BY THE FRENCH UNDERGROUND WHO WERE ACTIVE IN THE MOUNTAIN TOWNS AROUND FRANCE. THE MEN FINALLY ESCAPED ACROSS ENEMY LINES BY DRESSING AS FRENCHMEN WITH PHONY IDENTIFICATION PROVIDED BY THE UNDERGROUND. THEY RETURNED TO THE U.S. NEAR THE END OF WORLD WAR II.