Lieutenant Karl Porter Baum served in the United States Naval Reserve. While on board the USS Colorado in the Lingayen Gulf, he died as a result of accidental gunfire which hit the ship’s superstructure. Eighteen crewmen died and 51 were wounded. Died on 9 January 1945 and was buried at sea.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Karl Porter Baum Sr, Knoxville, TN.
Memorialized at Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, USA
Karl Baum attended Knoxville High School. He was Captain of the high school Band. He also attended the University of Tennessee. Picture from yearbook 1938.
List of USS Colorado’s dead and MIA lists him: http://www.usscolorado.org/KIA_MIA.htm
Several photos of the damage from the 1/9/1945 shelling here: http://www.usscolorado.org/Album/album_page_3.htm
- Rank: Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 19 May 1917
- Date of death: 9 January 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Colorado
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Karl P. Baum
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