Killed in action on 1 August 1943 during Operation Tidal wave onboard B-24 Liberator, Hell's Wench, 42-40994.



Dispatched to North Africa in 1943 with the 93rd Bomb Group to take part in Operation Tidal Wave. Part of the crew of B-24 Liberator, Hell's Wench, 42-40994, on 1 August 1943. Upon reaching the target area the 93rd Bomb Group's element lead pilot, Col. K.K. Compton, turned at the wrong point away from Ploesti, and headed for Bucharest. The pilots following Compton attempted to warn him and the mission commander on his airplane, Teggie Ann, but, when they deliberately failed to respond, Baker broke formation and led the remainder of the two bomb groups back toward Ploesti.



On approach to their target of opportunity, Hell's Wench, was hit by flak Compton jettisoned his bombs as both wings were hit, and the aircraft began leaking fuel, and became engulfed in flames. At almost the same time, the aircraft had to break formation and pull up to give his crewmen a desperate last chance to bail out and save themselves. Despite his attempts to gain altitude, the aircraft lost speed in the climb, rolled over, crashed, and exploded in flames, killing everyone aboard. 10 KIA. 1 Aug 1943.