PAUL FRANK BAER January 29, 1895 – December 9, 1930

Paul Frank Baer was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and became America’s first fighter ace. Having traveled to Europe during to “join the fight” months before America declared war, he signed up with the French Aviation Service and was trained by the Esqadrille Lafayette (F.A.S. N124). In February, 1917, he was assigned to Spa80 until being reassigned back to N124 in January, 1918. During his year of service with the French Air Service he shot down 7 German planes and was decorated by the French with the Legion of Honor and Croix-de-Guerre (France’s premier order).

In February 1918, the airplanes, equipment and officer and pilot personnel of the Escadrille Lafayette were merged into the 103d Aero Squadron, Air Service, American Expeditionary Force and immediately assigned the 21st Combat Group, 4th French Army. On 11 March, Baer scored his first (American) victory, and the first victory over enemy aircraft scored by any American squadron. He was later awarded the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and Oak Leaf cluster for action near Rheims on 11 and 16 March, 5, 12, and 23 April and 8 and 21 May. His commendation reads:

“On 11 March 1918, alone attacked a group of seven enemy pursuit machines, destroying one which crashed to the ground near the French lines northeast of Rheims. On 16 March, he attacked two enemy two-seaters, one of which fell in flames, striking the ground in approximately the same region.” DSC Citation

By 10 April, the 103rd was transferred to the 6th French Army in Bonn-Maison. On 23 , at 23 years of age, he scored his fifth victory to become the first American Ace of the United States Air Service. On the morning of 22 May 1918, Baer scored his ninth American victory. Eddie Rickenbacker, in Chapter 25 of his book “Fighting the Flying Circus,” wrote

“Upon the tragic death of Major Lufbery, who at the time was the leading American Ace with 18 victories, the title of American Ace of Aces fell to Paul Frank Baer of Fort Wayne, Ind., a member of the 103. Baer then had nine victories and had never been wounded. Baer is a particularly modest and lovable boy, and curiously enough is one of the few fighting pilots I have met who felt a real repugnance in his task of shooting down enemy aviators. When Lufbery fell, Baer’s Commanding Officer, Major William Thaw, called him into the office and talked seriously with him regarding the opportunity before him as America’s leading Ace. He advised Baer to be cautious and he would go far. Two days later he was shot down [by a member of Jasta 18] and slightly wounded behind German lines.”

Badly injured when his SPAD S.XIII crashed near Armentieres, Baer was captured by the Germans and served out the remaining months of the war as a prisoner. He ranks 24th (9 confirmed victories; 7+ previous not counted while in French Air Service) among 110+ Aces (at least 5 confirmed) in the American WW I class led by Eddie Rickenbacker (26 confirmed).

Returning home to Fort Wayne on 28 February 1919 to a rapturous local welcome, Baer took a post as a test pilot doing research for aeronautical laboratories located in Detroit. Sometime after 1925, he served as an inspector in the Aeronautics Branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Finally, he returned to the life of aviation adventure by pioneering airmail service in South America and the orient.

Since Baer was reluctant to participate in the dedication festivities honoring him, Captain Charles Nungesser (3rd highest ranking French Ace of World War I) attended the dedication of Paul Baer Municipal Airport in 1925 and an accompanying parade as the guest of honor.

Prior to 1950 2005