Richard Leo Baron
MilitaryDick flew 80 missions and was awarded several medals, but I can't find the list. I will continue to look for it. Del Skjod flew as co-pilot of 'Agony Wagon' a B-17G . Name was not painted on nose.
Story of his and his friend Richard Baron who flew P-47's with the 78th FG. Hadn't seen each other since joining the air force. They met up on a mission to Germany. When Skjod saw the group of P-47's around them he, against orders, called on the radio 'Calling Dick Baron, Dick Baron, over'. Lt Baron answered 'who's this'? Since real names weren't allowed Skjod responded 'Skejy' his nickname since childhood. Since finding each other they met up while stationed in England and after the war, opened a men's store together.
Awards: DFC, AM (7OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (4 Bronze stars).
Post war: Remained with USAF, retiring after nearly 40 years of active and reserve duty at the rank of Lt Colonel. In 'civvie' street he was an airfield manager, company pilot and a CEO and owner of a clothing chain before retiring 1st October 1984.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Mrs Blue
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: "Duckpond"
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Mandan, North Dakota | 9 September 1921 | Son of Joseph and Philippine [Mushik] Baron. |
Enlisted |
Minneapolis, MN, USA | 24 July 1942 | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Other Commissioned |
Venice, FL, USA | 5 December 1943 | Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. |
Other Crashed |
Airport Ave E, Venice, FL 34285, USA | 21 March 1944 | Mid Air Collision with tow Target Venice AAF, Venice, Florida Cat 3 damage Lt Richard L Baron, 21-Mar-44. P-47D 42-74921 - 13FS VFTU |
Based |
Duxford | 3 June 1944 - 17 November 1944 | Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Other End Tour Duty (ETD) |
England, UK | 17 November 1944 | |
Died |
Mandan, ND 58554, USA | 7 October 2007 | |
Buried/ Commemorated |
Union Cemetery Mandan, ND | Union Cemetery Mandan, North Dakota |
Revisions
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search.php?searchString=Baron
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbapi.asp?Pilot=Baron%2C+Richard
https://www.fold3.com/page/84642738_richard_l%20baron/details/
http://www.mandanhistory.org/biographiesac/richardbaron.html
The Distinguished Flying Cross Society By Randy W. Baumgardner, Turner Publishing Co.
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search.php?searchString=Baron
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbapi.asp?Pilot=Baron%2C+Richard…
http://www.mandanhistory.org/biographiesac/richardbaron.html
The Distinguished Flying Cross Society By Randy W. Baumgardner, Turner Publishing Co.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / nephew: Richard Stebner