Missing In Action. Denver Baker received a message from the War Department Tuesday afternoon that his son, Sgt. James B. Baker of the Air Corps, was missing in action of June 29th over Germany. James was a gunner on a B-24, and had been stationed in England since the 1st of May. There is always a good chance that men who are shot down over enemy territory, parachute to safety and are captured, and the many of his friends here of this young man hope that was his fate.

James' mother died when he was a small child, but he was tenderly cared for and idolized by the father and given every care that could be bestowed upon him. Most of his young life was spent in Burnet and he had the friendship and respect of both young and old.

Denver Baker received a letter from his son, J. B., Tuesday, who is a prisoner of the German government. This was the first letter he had received from J. B. since he was captured by the Germans about June 29th. He was first reported missing in action, but later his father was informed that he was a German prisoner. J. B. stated he was well fed and well treated by the Germans.

Last Saturday at Bergstrom Field, Denver Baker was presented the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster for his son, Sgt J.B. Baker, who is a prisoner of war in Germany. Mr. Baker was accompanied to Bergstrom Field by Mr. and Mrs. Tommy White, Mr. and Mrs. Charley Baker and daughter, Miss Joyce. Sgt. Baker has been a prisoner of the Germans for several months. He was first reported missing in action, but later Mr. Baker was notified he was a prisoner of war, and has received letters from him since that time. Mr. Baker is justly proud of the honors that have been awarded his son.

J. B. Baker died Wednesday, May 21, 2003 in Austin. He was born March 25, 1923 in Burnet County. He married Gay Allen July 3, 1946 in Burnet and was a member of the Burnet Presbyterian Church.

After the war, he worked in the construction industry and was a flight instructor at Central Texas College. He served two terms as Burnet County Tax Assessor-Collector.

abstracted from The River Cities Tribune, 23 May 2003

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