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Nicole Summers, MMFN
to remember
Baumer, Kenneth Ripley, GM3c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Lansing, MI
Last Address 329 Fenton St Lansing, MI
Casualty Date Nov 07, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Evergreen Cemetery - Lansing, Michigan
Wall/Plot Coordinates (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Albacore (SS-218) began a patrol on October 24, 1944, and refueled at Midway Island on October 28th. There was no further contact with the boat after that date. Japanese records report a submarine exploding as the result of contact with a mine on November 7, 1944 and the Albacore was presumed lost on December 21st 1944. Gunner's Mate Second Class Baumer was listed as Missing in Action and officially declared dead 13 December 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 6221207
Presidential Unit Citation
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Presidential Unit Citation to the United States Ship Albacore (SS 218) for service as set forth in the following citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese shipping and combatant units during her Second War Patrol in the New Guinea Area from November 11 to December 30, 1942; her Third War Patrol in the Admiralty Islands from January 20 to March 11, 1943; her Eighth War Patrol north of the Bismark Archipelago from December 26,1943 to February 22,1944; her Ninth War Patrol west of the Marianas from May 29 to July 16, 1944. By aggressive and tenacious area coverage, the USS Albacore made contact on a speeding major enemy task force and, defying numerous destroyers and hostile aircraft which screened the valuable Fleet units on every quarter and the inevitable countermeasures, pressed home her attack. Brilliantly maneuvering between the menacing escorts to reach the center of the powerful enemy group, the Albacore, despite a last minute breakdown of vital fire control equipment, launched her torpedoes and demolished a 29,800 ton aircraft carrier. Skillfully evading severe counterattacks, this gallant fighting ship returned to inflict further crippling blows against the enemy by sinking seven ships, including a light cruiser and two destroyers, for a total of nearly 50,000 tons. The courage and steadfast devotion to duty of the Albacore's valiant officers and men reflected in this outstanding combat record and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/New Guinea Campaign (1943-44)
From Month/Year
January / 1943
To Month/Year
December / 1944
Description The last obstacle in liberating all of New Guinea island was the Vogelkop Peninsula in Dutch New Guinea. The Japanese resistance on the peninsula gathered at Manokwari, and MacArthur did not wish to contest with this force. Instead, his "hit 'em where they ain't" strategy took the Allied forces to a number of undefended beaches near Cape Opmaria and Sansapor. Like Rabaul, the 25,000 men at Manokwari were now stranded, frustratingly idling uselessly.
In Sep 1944, Allied troops occupied the Halmahera Islands, concluding the New Guinea Campaign. MacArthur was now only several hundred miles from the Philippines. In his memoir, MacArthur attributed to the Allied victory over New Guinea to mobility and the ability to achieve surprise at key confrontations. Additionally, he also insisted that his refusal to deploy military governors over conquered regions helped his command focus on the task at hand. Instead, he brought in Dutch and Australian civil administrators immediately after the area had been deemed secure. "The success of this method was reflected in the complete lack of friction between the various governments concerned", he noted.
Although Allied attention would move toward the Philippine Islands by this time, small pockets of Japanese resistance would continue to fight until late May 1945.
