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Contact Info
Home Town Jamestown, North Dakota
Date of Passing Apr 28, 1986
Location of Interment Golden Gate National Cemetery (VA) - San Bruno, California
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)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Ardennes Alsace Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
December / 1944
To Month/Year
January / 1945
Description During their offensive in the Ardennes the Germans drove into Belgium and Luxembourg, creating a great bulge in the line. For some time the weather was bad, but when it cleared the Allies could send their planes to assist their ground forces by bombing and strafing the enemy’s columns, dropping paratroops and supplies, and interdicting the enemy’s lines of communications. By the end of January 1945 the lost ground had been regained and the Battle of the Bulge, the last great German offensive, was over.
