Owen J. Baggett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Col. Owen J. Baggett
United States Air Force |
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Air Force |
| Unit | 9th Bomb Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Prisoner of War Medal |
Owen J. Baggett was a second lieutenant in the United States 7th Bomb Group based at Pandaveswar, in India, during the Second World War.
On March 31, 1943 the squadron was instructed to destroy a bridge at Pyinmana, but before reaching their target the B-24 bombers were attacked by Japanese fighter planes. Baggett's plane was badly hit, and the crew were ordered to bail out. As the B-24 exploded, the Japanese pilots attempted to shoot the US airmen as they parachuted to earth, one plane approaching Baggett within feet, and then, nose-up and in an almost-stall, the pilot opened his canopy. Baggott claims to have shot the Japanese pilot with his pistol, becoming legendary as the only person to down a Japanese airplane with a .45 handgun. He was later captured by the Japanese, and held for over two years.
