World War I Aviator. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he is noted for being the first flying ace in US Military aviation history. In February 1917, he joined the Lafayette Flying Corps France and was assigned to Spa80 Flying Squadron. By the time the US Army Air Service entered the war, he was a 1st Lieutenant when he transferred to the 103rd Pursuit Squadron. He scored his first air victory in March 11, 1918, and alone attacked a group of seven enemy pursuit planes, destroying one which crashed to the ground near the French lines northeast of Reims. By April 23, 1918, he scored his fifth victory to become the first American ace of the US Army Air Service. During a mission at Armentieres, on May 22, 1918, he scored his ninth victory but was then shot down and captured by the Germans.
He was on aerial patrol May 22, 1918 on the Flanders Front when he was shot down, falling 15,000. Wounded, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He remained a POW until after the armistice ending the war. In February 1919, he returned to his hometown and received a hero's welcome. His post-war service included a position as a test pilot for an aeronautical lab, and inspector for the Department of Commerce, later he flew to South America and assisted in establishing an air mail service. He died at age 36 when his aircraft crashed during takeoff from Shanghai, China.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf cluster, General Orders No 128, War Dept. 1908 for his actions of March 11 & 16, 1918, the Legion of Honor, Chevalier (France) by presidential decree April 9, 1918, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palms (France). The Paul Baer Municipal Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana was named for him.
He was on aerial patrol May 22, 1918 on the Flanders Front when he was shot down, falling 15,000. Wounded, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He remained a POW until after the armistice ending the war. In February 1919, he returned to his hometown and received a hero's welcome. His post-war service included a position as a test pilot for an aeronautical lab, and inspector for the Department of Commerce, later he flew to South America and assisted in establishing an air mail service. He died at age 36 when his aircraft crashed during takeoff from Shanghai, China.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf cluster, General Orders No 128, War Dept. 1908 for his actions of March 11 & 16, 1918, the Legion of Honor, Chevalier (France) by presidential decree April 9, 1918, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palms (France). The Paul Baer Municipal Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana was named for him.
World War I Aviator. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he is noted for being the first flying ace in US Military aviation history. In February 1917, he joined the Lafayette Flying Corps France and was assigned to Spa80 Flying Squadron. By the time the US Army Air Service entered the war, he was a 1st Lieutenant when he transferred to the 103rd Pursuit Squadron. He scored his first air victory in March 11, 1918, and alone attacked a group of seven enemy pursuit planes, destroying one which crashed to the ground near the French lines northeast of Reims. By April 23, 1918, he scored his fifth victory to become the first American ace of the US Army Air Service. During a mission at Armentieres, on May 22, 1918, he scored his ninth victory but was then shot down and captured by the Germans.
He was on aerial patrol May 22, 1918 on the Flanders Front when he was shot down, falling 15,000. Wounded, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He remained a POW until after the armistice ending the war. In February 1919, he returned to his hometown and received a hero's welcome. His post-war service included a position as a test pilot for an aeronautical lab, and inspector for the Department of Commerce, later he flew to South America and assisted in establishing an air mail service. He died at age 36 when his aircraft crashed during takeoff from Shanghai, China.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf cluster, General Orders No 128, War Dept. 1908 for his actions of March 11 & 16, 1918, the Legion of Honor, Chevalier (France) by presidential decree April 9, 1918, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palms (France). The Paul Baer Municipal Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana was named for him.
He was on aerial patrol May 22, 1918 on the Flanders Front when he was shot down, falling 15,000. Wounded, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He remained a POW until after the armistice ending the war. In February 1919, he returned to his hometown and received a hero's welcome. His post-war service included a position as a test pilot for an aeronautical lab, and inspector for the Department of Commerce, later he flew to South America and assisted in establishing an air mail service. He died at age 36 when his aircraft crashed during takeoff from Shanghai, China.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf cluster, General Orders No 128, War Dept. 1908 for his actions of March 11 & 16, 1918, the Legion of Honor, Chevalier (France) by presidential decree April 9, 1918, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palms (France). The Paul Baer Municipal Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana was named for him.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
PAUL F. BAER
103rd Aero Squadron
BORN
JAN. 29, 1894
DIED IN
SHANGHAI, CHINA
DEC. 9, 1930
Family Members
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