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Born August 29, 1920 at Hammond, Indiana. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps at Fort Harrison, Indiana on January 26, 1942. He departed the United States on May 3, 1944 for the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group in Europe. 1st Lt. Bakalar flew P-51's in the 9th Air Force. He was killed on a combat mission just two days after his 24th birthday.
August 1944 photograph of 1st Lt. John Bakalar
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum acquired some personal effects of 1st Lt. John E. Bakalar for permanent display at the museum. The museum staff wishes to thank the generosity of the Bakalar family.
This newspaper clipping of John "Buck" Bakalar's obituary is one of the artifacts that was donated to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum.
1st Lt. Edmond Bakalar and his wife Dorothea, in military ID photographs.
Photos from the November 13, 1954 Dedication Ceremonies renaming the Atterbury Air Force Base to Bakalar Air Force Base hosted by the 2466th Air Reserve Flying Center. Children of John Bakalar, Robert E. and Suzanne J. Bakalar along with Dorothea Dugan, widow of Lt Bakalar, greeted by Colonel John O. Bradshaw, of the 434th Troop Carrier Wing and Colonel Herbert O. Hamilton, Atterbury Air Force Base/Bakalar Air Force Base Commander. Robert Bakalar with State Senator, Milford E. Anness, representing Governor George N. Craig, U.S. Representative William G. Bray, U.S. Representative Charles B. Brownson and Major General Ralph F. Stearley. Robert Bakalar with Boy Scouts of the Bartholomew County Council and Colonel Hamilton.
Colonel Hamilton and Mrs. Marie Bakalar, mother of John E. Bakalar with Suzanne and Robert Bakalar. Major General Ralph. F. Stearley at the speaker platform. Marie Bakalar, Dorothea Dugan, Suzanne and Robert Bakalar view the November 13, 1954 dedication ceremonies.
Sue Bakalar Higgins with Major General (Ret.) John Hoff at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum dedication November 11, 1992. Suzanne and Robert on Bakalar Green during November 11, 1991 dedication. Remarks by Sue Bakalar Higgins at the dedication of the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum. "I want to thank the Mayor for inviting me to Bakalar for this dedication ceremony. The Bakalar Family all share in the memories of this base being named for my father in 1954, and the monument ceremony held here last November 11th. And so today, I am participating in another ceremony where my father's name is again honored. It is my pleasure to officially dedicate this building as: The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum, in memory of General Atterbury, and my father Lieutenant John Edmond Bakalar and all personnel who served at this base from 1942 to 1970." Sue Bakalar Higgins November 11, 1992
Mrs. Bakalar pictured during a 1965 visit to Bakalar Air Force Base. Mrs. Bakalar is the mother of John E. Bakalar for whom the base was named. She was 74 years old at that time. She would visit the base on each Armed Forces Day to see the men of the 434th in action. She is quoted; "They all are such fine young men. Their accomplishments are a wonderful tribute to my son."
This interesting artifact from the Bakalar collection is a receipt for a P-40F that Lt Bakalar picked up in Albuquerque and flew to Luke Field.
Lt. Bakalar instrument flight cards
A 1942 photograph of John Bakalar at Lindbergh Field climbing into a PT22. Bakalar is second on the right with fellow airmen.
Flight line at Lindbergh Field San Diego 1942. Bakalar is second from the left pictured with his room mates. Did you train or serve with 1st Lt. John E. Bakalar? If you did, please share your story with the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum.
click on photograph for full size Portraits of General Atterbury and Lt. Bakalar in the entrance to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum. Lt. Bakalar's military awards are on display in the museum lobby. |
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1st
Lt. John Edmond Bakalar
