World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he joined the Regular Army as a Private in 1929, earned his U.S. Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant's commission and pilot wings in 1931, then was a National Guard officer who was called to active duty in 1940. In the summer of 1943, he was the commander of the 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force assigned to 9th Air Force, Benghazi, North Africa (Libya) for this mission. It was from this point that he led his group as part of a daring low level attack on 1 Aug 1943, piloting B-24 Liberator bomber tail #42-40994 ("Hell's Wench) during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest World War II bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. During its bombing run, his plane was hit by German anti-aircraft fire and crashed, but not before he dropped his bombs on the target and avoided crashing into the other B-24s in his formation. His remains were not identified following the crash. Fifty-four aircraft from this mission never returned. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on 11 March 1944. Remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania. His Medal of Honor citation reads, "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Addison Earl Baker (ASN: 0-280827), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of while serving with the Headquarters, 93d Bombardment Group (H), Ninth Air Force (Detached from the Eighth Air Force), in action with the enemy on 1 August 1943. On this date Colonel Baker led his command, the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, on a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a large caliber anti-aircraft shell, seriously damaged and set on fire. Ignoring the fact he was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused to jeopardize the mission by breaking up the lead formation and continued unswervingly to lead his group to the target upon which he dropped his bombs with devastating effect. Only then did he leave formation, but his valiant attempts to gain sufficient altitude for the crew to escape by parachute were unavailing and his aircraft crashed in flames after his successful efforts to avoid other planes in formation. By extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership and intrepidity, Lieutenant Colonel Baker rendered outstanding, distinguished, and valorous service to our Nation."