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Baum, Francis John (US-Army)

Date of birth:
August 16th, 1917 (New York, Brooklyn, USA)
Date of death:
November 29th, 1944 (Kleinhau, Hürtgenwald, Germany)
Buried on:
American War Graves Saint Gertrude’s Cemetery
Plot: 17C. Row: U. Grave: 44-1B.
Service number:
0-1010840
Nationality:
American

Biography

At the attack on Kleinhau (Hürtgenwald)/Germany, on 29 November 1944 Capt. Francis J. Baum was mortally wounded by a direct artillery hit in his tank. Capt. Baum had gotten out of his tank to check each of his platoons positions, and had just climbed back into his turret when the artillery shell landed on his tank. He died a short time later in the battalion aid station.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
Commanding Officer Company C, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division "Victory Division" U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Francis J. Baum (0-1010840), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 September 1944. Captain Baum's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Armored Division, and the United States Army.


Posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 119 (1945)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Sources

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