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On the fifteenth of December, 1944, Major <em>Carl Baehr, Jr</em>., was killed when American forces sank a Japanese transport in Subic Bay, off Luzon, Philippine Islands, with 1,600 Americans aboard. Carl’s tragic death came as a deep shock to his family and many friends, ending as it did the life and promising career of one of the army’s ablest and most highly thought of young officers.</p>
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Carl spent his entire life in the army and most of it in the field artillery which he loved. Born at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on November 7, 1912, Carl, like all army children, attended school in many places. Grade school days were spent in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, District of Columbia and Hawaii. High school days were spent in Hawaii and in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he was a member of both the National and Oklahoma Honor Societies. After a year at Millard’s Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., Carl entered the Military Academy on July 1, 1932, through the Oklahoma National Guard. Typical of Carl’s generous, fair-minded character, he had turned down a direct appointment in order to give another boy a chance and had elected to win his appointment in the stiff National Guard competitive examinations.</p>
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At West Point. Carl was a serious minded, excellent student. In athletics he won his numerals in track. During his first class year he was a cadet lieutenant in B Company. Carl loved West Point and was very happy there. From early boyhood he had aspired to be a cadet. “Duty, Honor, Country” became his religion. His thoughtfulness and his unswerving loyalty to his friends made him one of the most admired and best liked members of his class.</p>
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Upon graduation from West Point in 1936 he was assigned to the 14th Cavalry at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he quickly won a reputation as a remarkably able and talented officer. He interested himself in all post activities, especially polo, horse shows and the Boy Scout troop.</p>
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In June, 1938, Carl transferred to the 3d Field Artillery at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where for two weeks he served under his father, Brig. Gen. Carl A. Baehr, first captain of the class of 1909.</p>
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In April, 1939, he sailed for the Philippine Islands, from which he was destined not to return. At Fort Stotsenburg, Carl, with his quiet competence, built steadily upon his foundation of skill and reliability as an artilleryman. He served first with the 24th Field Artillery and then helped organize the 88th Field Artillery shortly before the Japanese invasion of Luzon. During the heroic defense of the Luzon central plain and finally of Bataan, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 88th Field Artillery, with great courage and distinction. After the fall of Bataan, Carl was a prisoner of the Japanese until his death. Survivors of the prison camp at Cabanatuan praise him for his leadership, fortitude and skill in many things during the more than two and a half years of starvation, disease and mistreatment there. An official report to the War Department has been made recounting his amazing work in improving the sanitation at Cabanatuan.</p>
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Those who knew Carl will always be uplifted by the memory of his constant unselfish devotion to duty and by the knowledge that, had he lived, he would have increased in military stature throughout his service. Few have equaled him in his love and devotion to family, friends and country—he never failed any of the three.</p>
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He is survived by his father and mother. Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Carl A. Baehr, and two sisters, Katherine and Betty.</p>
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