World War II Honoree

Richard Stuart Baldwin, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Des Moines, Iowa

Honored By

Charles P. Baldwin

Relationship

Son

TRAINED AS A NAVIGATOR AND BOMBARDIER ON A B-24 LIBERATOR. DEPLOYED TO SOUTHERN ITALY AND FLEW 17 MISSIONS. PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN AND HE WAS CAPTURED BY GERMAN SOLDIERS IN ITALY NEAR THE SWISS BORDER. ONLY 3 PEOPLE OF THE 9 MAN CREW PARACHUTED AND SURVIVED. HE WAS IMPRISONED IN A STALAG IN GERMANY. SAW GENERAL PATTON WHEN THE THIRD ARMY LIBERATED THE PRISON CAMP. CAME HOME ON LEAVE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF BEING SENT TO THE PACIFIC THEATER, BUT WAS DISCHARGED WHEN THE WAR ENDED.