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Service Details |
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Personal Details
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Home State
 North Dakota | |
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Year of Birth 1916 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Baccus, Donald Arthur, Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Jamestown, North Dakota |
Last Address Not Specified |
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Date of Passing Apr 28, 1986 |
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Location of Interment Golden Gate National Cemetery - San Bruno, California |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section CA, Site 2070 |
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Last Known Activity He destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 2 damaged, and another 4 destroyed on the ground while strafing during WWII.
His Silver Star citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Arthur Baccus (ASN: 0-406504), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 356th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action while leading a Fighter Group escorting heavy bombers over Germany, on 26 November 1944. A few minutes after making rendezvous, enemy aircraft were reported in the vicinity and Colonel Baccus, with his Group, set up a vigilant patrol. Observing a large number of fighters preparing to attack, he skillfully positioned his squadrons between the enemy and the bombers. Then, leading a Flight, he launched a daring assault against approximately twenty-five (25) ME-109's. During the ensuing battle, he became separated from the Group but was successful in destroying two (2) enemy fighters before breaking off the attack. Still alone and low on ammunition, he rejoined the bombers, and finding them unescorted, went over the target with them and escorted them back to the coast. The fact that during this action, his Group destroyed twenty-three (23), probably destroyed one (1) and damaged nine (9) aircraft is a tribute to Colonel Baccus' peerless leadership and unsurpassed combat skill.
General Orders: Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 66 (May 8, 1945)
Action Date: 26-Nov-44
Service: Army Air Forces
Rank: Colonel
Regiment: 356th Fighter Group
Division: 8th Air Force
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Other Comments: Sources:
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=709
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=41804627
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=45533
http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/fighter/356fg.HTM
http://www.foia.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090702-016.pdf
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_356.php
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=356
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1940-1941, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School
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1941-1943, Air Training Command
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1943-1943, AAF MOS 1055, 322nd Fighter Squadron
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1943-1944, AAF MOS 1065, 359th Fighter Squadron
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1943-1945, AAF MOS 1055, 356th Fighter Group
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1945-1945, AAF MOS 1065, 359th Fighter Group
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1945-1946, United States Army Air Force Europe (USAAFE)
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1946-1947, AAF MOS 2140, USAAF Headquarters
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1947-1948, Air Command and Staff College (Student)
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1948-1949, Headquarters Command (HQ USAF)
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1949-1951, 1021A, Royal Air Force (RAF)
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1951-1953, 1411, Tactical Air Command (TAC)
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1953-1954, 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing
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1954-1955, Air War College (Student)
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1955-1957, 3565th Navigator Training Wing (Staff)
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1957-1959, 1411, 5th Air Force
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1959-1961, Misawa Air Base
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1961-1962, Air Force Air Ground Operations Training Course
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1962-1965, USAF Air-Ground Operations School
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