Edwin J. Baumeister

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded to Service members serving outside the Continental United States in the American Theater for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946, or who served during that period for an aggregate period of 1 year in the Continental United States.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
Yes American Battle Monuments Commission website listing, SGT Baumeister, on this page
Yes Enlistment Records National Archives Database, on this page
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
No  Grave Marker Photo
No Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
Yes United States Federal Census, 1920-Yes, 1930-Yes
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data SGT Baumeister, on this page
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records, Hospital Records, on this page

ABMC Records:
Edwin J. Baumeister
Service #39451589
Rank, Sergeant, U.S. Army
Unit, 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division
Entered Service From, Washington
Date of Death, April 24, 1945
Buried Plot D, Row 15, Grave 49
Manila American Cemetery
Taguig City, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

WWII Draft Card Data
Edwin J. Baumeister
White, Male, Age: 24
Birth Date: June 12, 1916
Birth Place: Watauga, South Dakota
Residence Place: Asotin, Asotin County, Washington
Registration Date: October 16, 1940
Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Wallace Halsey
Height: 6' 1"   -  Weight: 180
Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Brown
Complexion: Light
Next of Kin: Wallace Halsey
Members of Household: Edwin J. Baumeister, Self

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Edwin J. Baumeister,
Service Number: 39451589
Rank: Enlisted Man (includes Aviation Cadet or Student)
Race: White, includes Mexican (White)
Admission Age: 29
Birth Date: About 1916
Admission Date: February 1945
Discharge Date: February 1945
Discharge Place: Not in Medical Installation Prior to Death
Military Branch: Infantry, General or Unspecified
Military Unit: 1
Diagnosis: Wound(s), character not stated
Causative Agent: Bullet, or Small Arms
Type of Injury:
Injury Type 1: Casualty, battle
Injury Type 2: All battle casualties, and all battle injuries not intentionally inflicted by self or another person
Notes: None

Note 1, Death Location: "In the Philippine Islands" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of SGT Baumeister, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, date of death as April 24, 1945 and that he was awarded the Purple Heart.

B. At the time SGT Baumeister was Killed In Action the 40th Infantry Division was conducting combat operations on the Philippine Islands from January to March 1945.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that SGT Baumeister was "Not in Medical Installation Prior to Death" and post mortem examination found a "Bullet" or small arms wound.

D. Further information on the history and service of the 40th Infantry Division can be found at the Wikipedia website 40th Infantry Division, History-WWII.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)

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