John C. Baudendistel

Description

Cenotaph in memory of John C. Baudendistel, who was killed in Action during WWII (declared dead in December 1945).

Last Known Activity

2nd Lt. Baudendistel was a navigator aboard a B-29 (tail number 42-63413), "Dixie Darling", the 971st Bomb Squadron VH), 497th Bomb Group (VH), 73rd Bomb Wing, XXI Bomber Command , 20th Air Force based at Isley Field, Saipan.

On 18 December 1944, the mission was to bomb the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Company and Aircraft Engine Plants near Nagoya, Japan. However, approximately 80 nautical miles west of Iwo Jima, the aircraft was seen leaving the formation. The aircraft never returned to Saipan and was presumed to have been forced to ditch due to mechanical problems. A routine sea search failed to reveal any trace of the plane or survivors.