Baum, Abraham Jasper "Abe"

Date of birth:: March 29th, 1921 (New York, United States)
Date of death:: March 3rd, 2013 (Rancho Bernardo/California, United States)
Service number:: 0-1014236
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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 Germunden, 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.

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division "Liberators", U.S. Army

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 Germunden, 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)