World War II Honoree

Abraham J. Baum

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bronx, New York

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY SHORTLY AFTER THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. HE FOUGHT AT NORMANDY AND SUFFERED SHRAPNEL WOUNDS IN A MINE FIELD. BY MARCH 1945, HE WAS A CAPTAIN WITH THE 4TH ARMORED DIVISION UNDER ORDERS FROM GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR.; HE LED TASK FORCE BAUM, AN ILL-FATED MISSION IN MARCH 1945 TO LIBERATE A PRISON CAMP DEEP IN GERMAN TERRITORY, WHERE PATTON'S SON-IN-LAW WAS BEING HELD. HE FOLLOWED ORDERS-AND REACHING THE CAMP, HE FOUND 1,500 U.S. PRISONERS INSTEAD OF THE 300 HE HAD BEEN TOLD TO EXPECT. HE RECEIVED MANY AWARDS INCLUDING A PURPLE HEART.