Abraham Jasper Baum (1921 - 2013)

Born 29 Mar 1921 in Bronx, Bronx, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 3 Mar 2013 at age 91 in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, California, United States

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Abe Baum is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army 1941-1946
The leader of Baum's Raid on Stalig-13 appointed by Patton, World War II

Maj. Abe Baum was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

Biography

Maj. Abraham Jasper Baum, known as Abe was born on 29 March 1921 in the Bronx, Queens, New York, USA to Harry Baum and Etta.^[1]

Census Locations

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^[3]

Military Service

On 27 December 1941 he enlisted in the United States Army in New York City, New York. He was single and without dependents. His education level was 2 years of high school.

General George S. Patton Jr. ordered a secret mission in 1945 that ordered the 23 year old Captain Baum to form a raid on a Prisoner of War Camp located at Hammelburg, Germany where one of the captives was Patton's son-in-law. Baum commanded the famed task force Task Force Baum sent by General George Patton to liberate the POWs at Stalag 13. The raid conceived by Patton was according to most military historians, ill-conceived, but they also say that Baum executed the orders flawlessly. He utilized shock-and-awe tactics. Twenty five men in Task Force Baum were killed and 32 others including Baum were wounded. Some were imprisoned briefly as it was towards the end of the war. Patton was later derided when it was learned that he had placed 300 men at risk to free Lt. Col. John Knight Waters, his son-in-law. General Omar Bradley called the raid a wild goose chase that ended in disaster. Many years later, Baum co-wrote with Richard Baron and Richard Goldhurst,^[4] raised the questions that Baum had never discussed about the raid.

Major Abraham J. BAUM, (then Captain), Infantry, 4th Armored Division, U. S. Army. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Germany. On March 26, 1945, Captain Baum led an armored task force in daring action into enemy territory to liberate Allied prisoners held by the Germans in a Stalag near Hammelburg, Germany. Enroute, as the column entered the town of Gemünden, Captain Baum was wounded by enemy rocket fire. Despite his wounds he continued to lead the force throughout the day and the following night until he was again wounded during action on the outskirts of Hammelburg. Captain Baum’s fearless determination and his inspiring leadership and loyal, courageous devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Military Honors

Distinguished Service Cross

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank: Captain

Unit: 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division

Task Force Baum was made up at the 37th Tank Battalion en 10th Armored Infantry Battalion a total of 296 men. Against ever-stiffening resistance by an enemy who thought an entire division had broken through the Main River defense line, Captain Baum's decimated column finally reached the stockade near dark on 27 March. After a hot fight, the prisoners were released, armed, and mounted on the back decks of Company C's tanks for the ride back to friendly lines. Captain Baum directed the remnants of his force northeastward, but by now the area was swarming with German infantry and armor. By morning of the 28th all the task force's vehicles had been knocked out. The force then broke into groups of fours and fives and attempted to exfiltrate back to American lines. Finally, about 35 men made it. The rest were killed or captured. Of the 296 officers and men of Task force Baum, 32 were wounded, 9 killed and 16 who were missing in action are still unaccounted for. Of the remaining 239, virtually all, including Captain Baum, were prisoners at one time or another. Although they did not accomplish their mission successfully, the tankers and infantry of Task force Baum contributed a great deal to the Central European Campaign. No less than an entire German Corps was diverted to the seeking out and destruction of the two company task force. Only the loss of the means to fight on kept them from continuing. The story of Task force Baum will serve as a stirring example of individual courage and small unit leadership as long as nations have armies.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Armor) Abraham J. Baum (ASN: 0-1014236), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 March 1945, in Germany. Captain Baum led an armored task force in daring action into enemy territory to liberate Allied prisoners held by the Germans near Hammelburg, Germany. En route, as the column entered the town of Gemünden, Captain Baum was wounded by enemy rocket fire. Despite his wounds he continued to lead the force throughout the day and the following night until he was again wounded during action on the outskirts of Hammelburg. Captain Baum's fearless determination and his inspiring leadership and loyal, courageous devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 87 (1945)

Silver Star Medal

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank: Captain

Unit: 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division

Awarded on: 1945

Captain (Armor) Abraham J. Baum (ASN: 0-1014236), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action during World War II. Captain Baum's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Headquarters, 4th Armored Division, General Orders No. 6 (1945)

Silver Star Medal

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank: Captain

Unit: 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division

Awarded on: November 14, 1944

Baum received the Oak Leaves for his second award.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Abraham J. Baum (ASN: 0-1014236), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, at Guebling, France, on 14 November 1944.

Bronze Star Medal

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Baum received the Oak Leaves as the second award.

Purple Heart

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Baum received the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained during the Hammelburg Raid Awarded with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Combat Infantry Badge

Period: Second World War (1939-1945)

Marriage

He married Eileen J. Cytron on 11 December 1949 in Los Angeles County, California. ^[5]

Occupation

Baum was a clothing manufacturer.

Other Activities

He was active in his community working with veterans who were sent to middle schools and high schools to discuss their wartime experience with the students. He also founded the Rancho Bernardo Veteran's Memorial.

Baum supported the 1947 war for Israeli Independence and provide counsel to Moshe Dayan, and others.

Death and Burial

Major Abraham Baum died on 3 March 2013 in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, California, USA at the age of 91.^[6] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Find A Grave: Memorial #106825325 ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ New York, New York, Birth Index, 1910-1965
2. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Yonkers, Westchester, New York; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 2341401
3. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census, Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: New York, Queens, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02741; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 41-1108
4. ↑ Raid! The Untold Story of Patton's Secret Mission.
5. ↑ California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959
6. ↑ "San Diego Tribune obituary for Baum. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/abraham-baum-obituary?id=9826712
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 October 2020), memorial page for Abraham Jasper “Abe” Baum (29 Mar 1921–3 Mar 2013), Find a Grave Memorial no. 106825325, citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by PIN (contributor 47281994) .