Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. TSGT US Army Air Corps: Born July 10, 1924 to Orus Baxter (born 7 Dec 1897) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. In an article published on October 5, 1944 in the Ada Weekly News, Orus was included in a list of Oklahoma service members Missing in Action. Orus received the Air Medal and was added to the list of Bravehorse Warriors as a member of the Creek Nation. The Bravehorse Warriors includes such Native American names as Red Cloud, Dull Knife, and Quanah Parker to name a few. All Native American tribes are represented in the Society. There is a website at http://www.fallennotforgotten.nl/Story00046.htm with pictures of Orus and one of his crews of B-24 Liberators who were all killed in a crash on April 29, 1944 in which the article states that they were all killed in the crash except Orus. Orus at the time was a member of the 578th Bomber Squadron - 392nd Bomber Group (Heavy) and was a member on the crew of plane #42-110105, a B-24J Liberator piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Robert R. Bishop. The plane left on its 10th bombing mission over Berlin and "After facing the first attack from enemy fighters, the Sabourin crew (witnesses) reported seeing Bishop's plane pulling away from formation, reporting that "it looked like the right elevator was shot up badly – no parachutes". Memorial stone in Wetumka Cemetery, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Unit listed on stone is 44 Bomber GP AAF, AM & OLC-PH.
The Air Medal is awarded to any warrior who, while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other warriors whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of warriors whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to warriors who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone. From: historical accounts & records
T/Sgt Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr.
by Annette Tison, 392nd Bomb Group researcher
Per http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65394689:
Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. was born in 1924 to Orus Ezra Baxter (1897-1967) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was a Creek Indian.
Baxter became the engineer on 2/Lt Robert R. Bishop's crew. Military orders dated 10 Apr 1944 transferred them to the 392nd Bomb Group in Wendling, Norfolk, England.
On 25 Apr 1944, Baxter flew his first combat mission as the engineer on 2/Lt Eiserman's crew. Only one other member of the Bishop crew flew (as a substitute on 2/Lt Weinheimer's crew).
The next day, Baxter again flew as 2/Lt Fogarty's engineer. Everyone on the Bishop crew (except pilot Bishop) also flew with Fogarty.
On 27 Apr 1944, the 392nd BG flew two missions. The afternoon mission was unexpected; aircrews had to be hurriedly assembled for the sortie. Perhaps as a result, seven men from the Bishop crew flew with pilot Fogarty (including Bishop, who flew as copilot). Baxter did not fly; the position of engineer was filled by Sgt James T. Blong from 2/Lt Louis E. Zweig's crew.
On 29 April, 2/Lt Bishop flew his crew into combat for the first—and last—time. Every member of Bishop's crew flew with him except Baxter. His place as engineer was once again filled by Sgt Blong. When the Bishop crew did not return, Baxter was transferred to the Zweig crew in Blong's place and flew his first mission with them on 1 May 1944.
Baxter and the Zweig crew flew 13 missions together before they were transferred to the 44th Bomb Group. Their last mission with the 392nd BG was on 8 June.
The Zweig crew and Baxter then flew four missions with the 44th BG, on 28 and 29 June and 6 and 7 July. On 11 July 1944, they ran out of fuel while returning from a mission to Munich. Eight of the twelve men, including Baxter, were killed in action. (For a complete list of the crew, see 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties at http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHJul44.pdf)
Per information from copilot 1/Lt John L. "Jack" Quail Jr. on http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/legacy.asp?perIdentification=21734:
We were part of the Pathfinder Squadron and consequently flew to pick up command personnel from the designated group and squadron for each mission. This is the reason Conrad and Thielen are on the list. Major Conrad was visiting which accounts for Copilot Burge being in the rear.
Damaged by flak over Munich, we left formation and headed across France toward Dover, England. Near Lille, France, with the English Channel in radar range, we ran out of fuel. Orders were given to bail out and Mollen and Quail opened the bomb bay and were first out. What happened afterwards is not fully known, but I heard a B-24 aircraft go into a spin—it was a cloudy day and I couldn't see the plane--then heard an explosion. Everyone in the back of the plane went down with it.
According to his statement in Missing Air Crew Report #5711, 1/Lt Zweig said the fuel tanks were damaged during the mission. The crew was advised they were going to try and make Dover and to take positions for ditching. When the plane was about five miles from Dunkirk, all engines stopped working. Zweig personally gave the bail-out signal and made three calls on the interphone to ensure everyone knew to abandon ship. He then bailed out.
Maj Conrad reported in MACR 7511 that he last saw Baxter on the flight deck checking the Tokyo tanks to see if they had any fuel. He gave the bailout signal at about 9,000 feet. He saw Zweig and other flight deck personnel bail out through the bomb bays. He either checked in person or called via the radio to ensure the entire crew had been alerted to bail out. Getting no response, he had to assume they had left the ship and he bailed out at about 5,000 ft. To the best of his knowledge, he was the last person to bail out of the ship. As he was descending, he saw parachutes on the ground.
Baxter's body was identified by the Germans. He and the other casualties were buried in the Military Cemetery at St. Omer. After the war, he was reinterred in Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka, Oklahoma. According to his headstone, he turned 20 the day before his death.
The Air Medal is awarded to any warrior who, while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other warriors whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of warriors whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to warriors who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone. From: historical accounts & records
T/Sgt Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr.
by Annette Tison, 392nd Bomb Group researcher
Per http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65394689:
Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. was born in 1924 to Orus Ezra Baxter (1897-1967) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was a Creek Indian.
Baxter became the engineer on 2/Lt Robert R. Bishop's crew. Military orders dated 10 Apr 1944 transferred them to the 392nd Bomb Group in Wendling, Norfolk, England.
On 25 Apr 1944, Baxter flew his first combat mission as the engineer on 2/Lt Eiserman's crew. Only one other member of the Bishop crew flew (as a substitute on 2/Lt Weinheimer's crew).
The next day, Baxter again flew as 2/Lt Fogarty's engineer. Everyone on the Bishop crew (except pilot Bishop) also flew with Fogarty.
On 27 Apr 1944, the 392nd BG flew two missions. The afternoon mission was unexpected; aircrews had to be hurriedly assembled for the sortie. Perhaps as a result, seven men from the Bishop crew flew with pilot Fogarty (including Bishop, who flew as copilot). Baxter did not fly; the position of engineer was filled by Sgt James T. Blong from 2/Lt Louis E. Zweig's crew.
On 29 April, 2/Lt Bishop flew his crew into combat for the first—and last—time. Every member of Bishop's crew flew with him except Baxter. His place as engineer was once again filled by Sgt Blong. When the Bishop crew did not return, Baxter was transferred to the Zweig crew in Blong's place and flew his first mission with them on 1 May 1944.
Baxter and the Zweig crew flew 13 missions together before they were transferred to the 44th Bomb Group. Their last mission with the 392nd BG was on 8 June.
The Zweig crew and Baxter then flew four missions with the 44th BG, on 28 and 29 June and 6 and 7 July. On 11 July 1944, they ran out of fuel while returning from a mission to Munich. Eight of the twelve men, including Baxter, were killed in action. (For a complete list of the crew, see 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties at http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHJul44.pdf)
Per information from copilot 1/Lt John L. "Jack" Quail Jr. on http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/legacy.asp?perIdentification=21734:
We were part of the Pathfinder Squadron and consequently flew to pick up command personnel from the designated group and squadron for each mission. This is the reason Conrad and Thielen are on the list. Major Conrad was visiting which accounts for Copilot Burge being in the rear.
Damaged by flak over Munich, we left formation and headed across France toward Dover, England. Near Lille, France, with the English Channel in radar range, we ran out of fuel. Orders were given to bail out and Mollen and Quail opened the bomb bay and were first out. What happened afterwards is not fully known, but I heard a B-24 aircraft go into a spin—it was a cloudy day and I couldn't see the plane--then heard an explosion. Everyone in the back of the plane went down with it.
According to his statement in Missing Air Crew Report #5711, 1/Lt Zweig said the fuel tanks were damaged during the mission. The crew was advised they were going to try and make Dover and to take positions for ditching. When the plane was about five miles from Dunkirk, all engines stopped working. Zweig personally gave the bail-out signal and made three calls on the interphone to ensure everyone knew to abandon ship. He then bailed out.
Maj Conrad reported in MACR 7511 that he last saw Baxter on the flight deck checking the Tokyo tanks to see if they had any fuel. He gave the bailout signal at about 9,000 feet. He saw Zweig and other flight deck personnel bail out through the bomb bays. He either checked in person or called via the radio to ensure the entire crew had been alerted to bail out. Getting no response, he had to assume they had left the ship and he bailed out at about 5,000 ft. To the best of his knowledge, he was the last person to bail out of the ship. As he was descending, he saw parachutes on the ground.
Baxter's body was identified by the Germans. He and the other casualties were buried in the Military Cemetery at St. Omer. After the war, he was reinterred in Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka, Oklahoma. According to his headstone, he turned 20 the day before his death.
Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. TSGT US Army Air Corps: Born July 10, 1924 to Orus Baxter (born 7 Dec 1897) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. In an article published on October 5, 1944 in the Ada Weekly News, Orus was included in a list of Oklahoma service members Missing in Action. Orus received the Air Medal and was added to the list of Bravehorse Warriors as a member of the Creek Nation. The Bravehorse Warriors includes such Native American names as Red Cloud, Dull Knife, and Quanah Parker to name a few. All Native American tribes are represented in the Society. There is a website at http://www.fallennotforgotten.nl/Story00046.htm with pictures of Orus and one of his crews of B-24 Liberators who were all killed in a crash on April 29, 1944 in which the article states that they were all killed in the crash except Orus. Orus at the time was a member of the 578th Bomber Squadron - 392nd Bomber Group (Heavy) and was a member on the crew of plane #42-110105, a B-24J Liberator piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Robert R. Bishop. The plane left on its 10th bombing mission over Berlin and "After facing the first attack from enemy fighters, the Sabourin crew (witnesses) reported seeing Bishop's plane pulling away from formation, reporting that "it looked like the right elevator was shot up badly – no parachutes". Memorial stone in Wetumka Cemetery, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Unit listed on stone is 44 Bomber GP AAF, AM & OLC-PH.
The Air Medal is awarded to any warrior who, while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other warriors whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of warriors whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to warriors who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone. From: historical accounts & records
T/Sgt Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr.
by Annette Tison, 392nd Bomb Group researcher
Per http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65394689:
Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. was born in 1924 to Orus Ezra Baxter (1897-1967) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was a Creek Indian.
Baxter became the engineer on 2/Lt Robert R. Bishop's crew. Military orders dated 10 Apr 1944 transferred them to the 392nd Bomb Group in Wendling, Norfolk, England.
On 25 Apr 1944, Baxter flew his first combat mission as the engineer on 2/Lt Eiserman's crew. Only one other member of the Bishop crew flew (as a substitute on 2/Lt Weinheimer's crew).
The next day, Baxter again flew as 2/Lt Fogarty's engineer. Everyone on the Bishop crew (except pilot Bishop) also flew with Fogarty.
On 27 Apr 1944, the 392nd BG flew two missions. The afternoon mission was unexpected; aircrews had to be hurriedly assembled for the sortie. Perhaps as a result, seven men from the Bishop crew flew with pilot Fogarty (including Bishop, who flew as copilot). Baxter did not fly; the position of engineer was filled by Sgt James T. Blong from 2/Lt Louis E. Zweig's crew.
On 29 April, 2/Lt Bishop flew his crew into combat for the first—and last—time. Every member of Bishop's crew flew with him except Baxter. His place as engineer was once again filled by Sgt Blong. When the Bishop crew did not return, Baxter was transferred to the Zweig crew in Blong's place and flew his first mission with them on 1 May 1944.
Baxter and the Zweig crew flew 13 missions together before they were transferred to the 44th Bomb Group. Their last mission with the 392nd BG was on 8 June.
The Zweig crew and Baxter then flew four missions with the 44th BG, on 28 and 29 June and 6 and 7 July. On 11 July 1944, they ran out of fuel while returning from a mission to Munich. Eight of the twelve men, including Baxter, were killed in action. (For a complete list of the crew, see 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties at http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHJul44.pdf)
Per information from copilot 1/Lt John L. "Jack" Quail Jr. on http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/legacy.asp?perIdentification=21734:
We were part of the Pathfinder Squadron and consequently flew to pick up command personnel from the designated group and squadron for each mission. This is the reason Conrad and Thielen are on the list. Major Conrad was visiting which accounts for Copilot Burge being in the rear.
Damaged by flak over Munich, we left formation and headed across France toward Dover, England. Near Lille, France, with the English Channel in radar range, we ran out of fuel. Orders were given to bail out and Mollen and Quail opened the bomb bay and were first out. What happened afterwards is not fully known, but I heard a B-24 aircraft go into a spin—it was a cloudy day and I couldn't see the plane--then heard an explosion. Everyone in the back of the plane went down with it.
According to his statement in Missing Air Crew Report #5711, 1/Lt Zweig said the fuel tanks were damaged during the mission. The crew was advised they were going to try and make Dover and to take positions for ditching. When the plane was about five miles from Dunkirk, all engines stopped working. Zweig personally gave the bail-out signal and made three calls on the interphone to ensure everyone knew to abandon ship. He then bailed out.
Maj Conrad reported in MACR 7511 that he last saw Baxter on the flight deck checking the Tokyo tanks to see if they had any fuel. He gave the bailout signal at about 9,000 feet. He saw Zweig and other flight deck personnel bail out through the bomb bays. He either checked in person or called via the radio to ensure the entire crew had been alerted to bail out. Getting no response, he had to assume they had left the ship and he bailed out at about 5,000 ft. To the best of his knowledge, he was the last person to bail out of the ship. As he was descending, he saw parachutes on the ground.
Baxter's body was identified by the Germans. He and the other casualties were buried in the Military Cemetery at St. Omer. After the war, he was reinterred in Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka, Oklahoma. According to his headstone, he turned 20 the day before his death.
The Air Medal is awarded to any warrior who, while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other warriors whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of warriors whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to warriors who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone. From: historical accounts & records
T/Sgt Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr.
by Annette Tison, 392nd Bomb Group researcher
Per http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65394689:
Orus Ezra Baxter, Jr. was born in 1924 to Orus Ezra Baxter (1897-1967) of Yeager, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on November 21, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Records say he was 5'7" tall and weighed 142 pounds and had completed 3 years of high school. He was a Creek Indian.
Baxter became the engineer on 2/Lt Robert R. Bishop's crew. Military orders dated 10 Apr 1944 transferred them to the 392nd Bomb Group in Wendling, Norfolk, England.
On 25 Apr 1944, Baxter flew his first combat mission as the engineer on 2/Lt Eiserman's crew. Only one other member of the Bishop crew flew (as a substitute on 2/Lt Weinheimer's crew).
The next day, Baxter again flew as 2/Lt Fogarty's engineer. Everyone on the Bishop crew (except pilot Bishop) also flew with Fogarty.
On 27 Apr 1944, the 392nd BG flew two missions. The afternoon mission was unexpected; aircrews had to be hurriedly assembled for the sortie. Perhaps as a result, seven men from the Bishop crew flew with pilot Fogarty (including Bishop, who flew as copilot). Baxter did not fly; the position of engineer was filled by Sgt James T. Blong from 2/Lt Louis E. Zweig's crew.
On 29 April, 2/Lt Bishop flew his crew into combat for the first—and last—time. Every member of Bishop's crew flew with him except Baxter. His place as engineer was once again filled by Sgt Blong. When the Bishop crew did not return, Baxter was transferred to the Zweig crew in Blong's place and flew his first mission with them on 1 May 1944.
Baxter and the Zweig crew flew 13 missions together before they were transferred to the 44th Bomb Group. Their last mission with the 392nd BG was on 8 June.
The Zweig crew and Baxter then flew four missions with the 44th BG, on 28 and 29 June and 6 and 7 July. On 11 July 1944, they ran out of fuel while returning from a mission to Munich. Eight of the twelve men, including Baxter, were killed in action. (For a complete list of the crew, see 44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties at http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHJul44.pdf)
Per information from copilot 1/Lt John L. "Jack" Quail Jr. on http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/legacy.asp?perIdentification=21734:
We were part of the Pathfinder Squadron and consequently flew to pick up command personnel from the designated group and squadron for each mission. This is the reason Conrad and Thielen are on the list. Major Conrad was visiting which accounts for Copilot Burge being in the rear.
Damaged by flak over Munich, we left formation and headed across France toward Dover, England. Near Lille, France, with the English Channel in radar range, we ran out of fuel. Orders were given to bail out and Mollen and Quail opened the bomb bay and were first out. What happened afterwards is not fully known, but I heard a B-24 aircraft go into a spin—it was a cloudy day and I couldn't see the plane--then heard an explosion. Everyone in the back of the plane went down with it.
According to his statement in Missing Air Crew Report #5711, 1/Lt Zweig said the fuel tanks were damaged during the mission. The crew was advised they were going to try and make Dover and to take positions for ditching. When the plane was about five miles from Dunkirk, all engines stopped working. Zweig personally gave the bail-out signal and made three calls on the interphone to ensure everyone knew to abandon ship. He then bailed out.
Maj Conrad reported in MACR 7511 that he last saw Baxter on the flight deck checking the Tokyo tanks to see if they had any fuel. He gave the bailout signal at about 9,000 feet. He saw Zweig and other flight deck personnel bail out through the bomb bays. He either checked in person or called via the radio to ensure the entire crew had been alerted to bail out. Getting no response, he had to assume they had left the ship and he bailed out at about 5,000 ft. To the best of his knowledge, he was the last person to bail out of the ship. As he was descending, he saw parachutes on the ground.
Baxter's body was identified by the Germans. He and the other casualties were buried in the Military Cemetery at St. Omer. After the war, he was reinterred in Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka, Oklahoma. According to his headstone, he turned 20 the day before his death.
Gravesite Details
Mother was Rosetta Wesley, who married J.D. Durbin on January 7, 1928 in Hughes County, Oklahoma (book 12 page 196).
