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Casualty Info
Home Town Lowell, MA
Last Address
Casualty Date Jul 15, 1942
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Philippines
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander while serving in China and the Philippines. Right after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor they attacked the Philippines. General McArthur and American forces had been there for about three years. They were unprepared for the attack. Lieutenant Commander Richard Swan Baron was in Cavite during the initial attack and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions entering a burning building at grave danger to himself to retrieve important military documents. The Navy Cross is the second highest Navy military honor, second only to the Medal of Honor.
The Lieutenant Commander was killed in action on March 15, 1942 by the Japanese invasion in Cebu. He was survived by his wife Anne Baron, his mother, his siblings and three young daughters; Mary Louise, Ann and Gerald. In his memory the US Navy had a Destroyer Escort ship named in his memory. The USS Baron DE-166 was christened in New Jersey May 9, 1943 and saw wartime service.
Comments/Citation:
Name of Award
Navy Cross
Year Awarded
1942
Details behind Award: Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Richard Swan Baron (NSN: 0-58842), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as District Issuing Officer on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, SIXTEENTH Naval District, Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, during the bombardment of that station by enemy Japanese forces on 10 December 1941. Lieutenant Commander Baron entered a burning building at considerable risk to his life to recover confidential publications and carry them to safety to prevent their loss or the possibility of their falling into enemy hands. He later was sent to Cebu where he organized and commanded a defense unit. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942) Action Date: December 10, 1942 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Commander Company: District Issuing Officer Regiment: 16th Naval District Division: Cavite Navy Yard
Name of Award
Prisoner of War Medal
Year Awarded
1942
Details behind Award: Awarded for actions during the World War II
Lieutenant Commander Richard Swan Baron (NSN: 0-58842), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese during the fighting in the Philippine Islands in early 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while in captivity.
General Orders: NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 1947 Action Date: 1942 - Died in Captivity Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Commander Division: Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands
