Bait John C., Jr.

Name:

John C., Jr. Bait

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

33695659

Unit:

602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-04-11

State:

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France

Plot:

G

Row:

8

Grave:

11

Decoration:

Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

John C. Bait Jr. was born on April 7, 1925, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Bait and Christina Bait. He enlisted in the service in 1923. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Bombardier/ Togglier of B-17 #43-38664 during World War II.

On April 11, 1945, during a mission over Germany, the aircraft experienced mechanical failures in engines #3 and #4. These issues forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing near Mühldorf, Germany. The crash resulted in the deaths of three crew members while the remaining seven crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

SSgt Bait was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. John C. Bait's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 11, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information:www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org