Phillip K Baxter Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Shot down 23 November 1942 in B-17 41-24503 'Pandora's Box' while serving as Navigator. Killed in Action (KIA).



1st LT Phillip K. Baxter was born May 6, 1921. His next of kin was his wife, Mary V. Baxter. His parents were Phillip, Sr., and Ovida Baxter. His hometown was Dallas, Texas.

On November 23, 1942 his unit, the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomb Squadron, attacked St. Nazaire, France. His aircraft was B-17 tail #41-24503, nicknamed “Pandora’s Box.” The bomber was last seen off the Brest Peninsula, heading out to the Atlantic Ocean.

There were no survivors from the crew, and the remains of LT Baxter were never recovered.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36305914
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17015920
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-433981
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Bombardier; Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19039467
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17012427 / O-427139
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pandora's Box
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Dallas, TX, USA 6 May 1921 1st LT Phillip K. Baxter was born May 6, 1921. His next of kin was his wife, Mary V. Baxter. His parents were Phillip, Sr., and Ovida Baxter. His hometown was Dallas, Texas.

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Île d'Houat, France 23 November 1942 Killed when the aircraft was attacked by German fighters and crashed into the sea near Ile d'Houat, France. On November 23, 1942 his unit, the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomb Squadron, attacked St. Nazaire, France. His aircraft was B-17 tail #41-24503, nicknamed “Pandora’s Box.” The bomber was last seen off the Brest Peninsula, heading out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Other

Commemorated

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridgeshire CB23 7PH, UK Commemorated on the Wall of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery. There were no survivors from the crew, and the remains of LT Baxter were never recovered.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

connected with other crew member

Date
Changes
Sources

IDPF and/or crash report researched by Bill Beigel. IDPF donated to American Air Museum by Bill Beigel. For more information about this flyer, you may contact http://ww2research.com.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-Nov-2014. Added KIA event per MACR 16162; added Commemorated event per American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) record.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Missing AIr Crew Report (MACR) 16162; American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 16162 / MACR 16162, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. One by Bishop and Hey, p. 48 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database