World War II Honoree

Joseph Michael Baisch, III

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Honored By

Kristin Baisch-Ricker, Heidi Greco and Lisa Battaglia

Relationship

Daughter

Enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps on August 30, 1941. He and his brothers all enlisted on that same day. He was from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He received his wings on December 13, 1942 at Ellington Field, Texas. He was in the 381st bombardment squadron which was initiated on January 28, 1942 and activated on March 15, 1942. He was in a North African-based group of 60 B-25 bombers. On his Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service, he was listed as Military Occupation: Operations Officer Air Forces 21 61 with an entry date of December 13, 1942. Battles and campaigns: Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, South France, Apennines and Air Offensive Europe. From April 18, 1943, he was assigned a campaign in North Africa until May 1, 1943. From December 26, 1943, he was assigned to a campaign in The Middle East until December 28, 1943. From January 12, 1944, he was assigned to another campaign in the Mediterranean until January 14, 1944. Decorations and citations: Air Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters, a distinguished unit badge from AF on July 20, 1944, among other campaign ribbons. He completed 55 bombing missions and had absolutely not one injury. He had 1 year, 7 months and 10 days of Foreign Service. He had 1 year, 3 months and 3 days of Continental Service. His date of separation was October 26, 1945 from Camp McCoy near Lacrosse, Wisconsin.