BAKER continued.
An eyewitness described when Lieutenant Baker was downed in Burma:
" I certify that on the date of December 20, 1943, while on a combat mission over Monywa (sic), Burma, B-25-D, tail number 41-30367, piloted by Lieutenant Burdette H. Baker, was hit by AA fire over the target. One large hole and many small holes were visible in the left wing. The left engine had lost its oil quit running within ten (10) minutes. The plane took a heading of 330 degrees, apparently heading for Imphal [India] airfield. The right engine apparently was unable to give full power, for the plane consistently lost altitude from 9,800 feet to approximately 3,000 feet. At a point approximately three (3) miles west of Kalewa the plane started spinning to the left and crashed and exploded among the trees north of a small stream. I saw three parachutes open fairly close to the ground ... about 800 to 200 feet. (signed) Howard S. Sanders, Flight Officer, Air Corps."
1st.Lt. Robert E. Dales, Operations Officer, 491st Bombardment Squadron, 341st Bombardment Group,
To honor the men lost on the bomber, the full list of missing aircrew is:
2nd.Lt. Burdette H. Baker Mr. John D. Baker (Father)
2nd.Lt. Paul J. Simonic Mr. John M. Simonic (Father)
2nd.Lt. Charles H. Redd Mrs. Minnie Margaret Redd (Mother)
