After serving in the New Jersey National Guard and then the Regular Army from 1932 to 1936, Albert Baumler sailed to Spain in late December 1936, and flew fighters for the Spanish Air Force during the Spanish Civil War, where he was credited with shooting down 4.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, with an additional 2 probables. He left Spain in August 1937 and returned to the Army Air Corps. After volunteering for the AVG he was refused a travel permit by the State Department for his violation of travel laws to serve in the Spanish Air Force, so he returned to the Army Air Forces and was on his way to China to serve as a liaison to the Flying Tigers when Pearl Harbor was attacked. During World War II he became an ACE credited with shooting down an additional 5 enemy aircraft, for a two-war total of 9.5 with 2 probables.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
75th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Albert John Baumler (ASN: 371809), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
75th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
December 8, 1941 – December 8, 1942
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Albert John Baumler (ASN: 371809), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in over 50 combat missions from 8 December 1941 to 8 December 1942. Acting in the capacity of Fighter Pilot, Major Baumler displayed the highest type of aggressive spirit which resulted in much damage to enemy installations and equipment. In offensive sweeps from bases in China between the above dates he participated in combat missions which gained for him confirmation of the destruction of five Japanese aircraft. Major Baumler’s willingness at all times to carry the fight to the enemy against heavy odds is in keeping with the finest combat traditions of the Army Air Forces.