HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT

Painting of HELL'S WENCH aircraft with black and white photo of Baker superimposed. — *Photo from Ohio Army National Guard historical Collections*

***Fire Over Ploesti***, National Guard Heritage Series by Roy Grinnell, depicts Lt. Col. Addison Baker’s badly damaged B-24 Liberator, “Hell’s Wench,” during Operation Tidal Wave, Aug. 1, 1943. with Lt. Col. Addison Baker, circa 1943.

Lt. Col. Addison Baker earns Medal of Honor during WWII

Compiled by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio Army National Guard Historian

On Aug. 1, 1943, Lt. Col. Addison Baker, an Ohio National Guard member who entered federal service in 1940 with the 112th Observation Squadron, commanded the 93rd Bombardment Group during a daring low-altitude Allied bombing mission of Axis oil refineries at Ploiesti, Romania named Operation Tidal Wave.

Baker piloted his B-24 Liberator, named “Hell’s Wench,” as the lead aircraft of the second formation of 177 total aircraft. While approaching the target, Baker’s plane was hit by a large caliber anti-aircraft shell and was set on fire. Although Baker could have landed the plane safely nearby, he refused to break up the formation and dropped his bombs with devastating effect. He then attempted to gain altitude for the crew to escape by parachute, but the aircraft crashed in flames as Baker maneuvered it around other planes, killing everyone on board. For his heroic actions and leadership, Baker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Vol. 37, No. 4 ~ JULY /AUGUST 2019

Platinum Wolf 19: Multinational exercise expands Ohio-Serbia State Partnership
About 500 Soldiers representing 10 countries trained at South Base, Serbia during Platinum Wolf 19, a two-week multinational training exercise designed to enhance interoperability and cooperation between partner and allied nations while building relationships. As part of Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, the Ohio National Guard has had a state partnership with Serbia since 2006.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Up, Up and Away: Soldiers sling supplies underneath Chinooks
Soldiers with the 237th Support Battalion conducted sling load training earlier this year at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center near Newton Falls, Ohio. Soldiers practiced preparing and rigging a variety of military equipment and vehicles before attaching them to CH-47 Chinook helicopters, learning the importance of airlift capabilities that can transport cargo to and from largely inaccessible locations.

178th Civil Engineering Squadron Airmen gain swift water rescue skills
Airmen with the 178th Civil Engineering Squadron trained for swift water rescue missions this spring at various locations throughout Ohio. The 178th CES is one of the first, fully operational Air National Guard units to provide these real-world rescue services during times of need. Airmen from the unit learned how to understand river currents, operate rescue boats and save lives of individuals affected by swift water disasters.

#KNOWYOURMIL: Counterdrug analyst finds purpose through tragedy
Meet Tech Sgt. Chelsea Lovelace, who conducts counterdrug operations as a criminal analyst for the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. Lovelace, who was a senior in high school when her father Eric died of a morphine pill overdose, helps the Cincinnati Police Department’s Narcotics Division catch and prosecute drug dealers.

LEADERSHIP MESSAGE:
Strong teams begin with ‘engaged, accountable leadership’
Col. Daniel Shank, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, said he is impressed with the level of engagement, dedication and professionalism of Ohio Army National Guard members who are working to ensure mission success, which is critical to building and maintaining a strong team.

LINEAGE LINK UP:
838th Military Police Company
A closer look into the origins and lineage of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 838th Military Police Company, which originated in July 1899 in Warren, Ohio.

HISORICAL HIGHLIGHT:
Lt. Col. Addison Baker earns Medal of Honor during WWII
On Aug. 1, 1943, Lt. Col. Addison Baker commanded the 93rd Bombardment Group during a daring low-altitude Allied bombing mission of Axis oil refineries at Ploiesti, Romania named Operation Tidal Wave. Baker piloted his B-24 Liberator, named “Hell’s Wench,” as the lead aircraft of the second formation of 177 total aircraft.

SNAPSHOTS
A look at some of the Soldiers, Airmen and civilians who make up the Ohio National Guard Family.

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