William Eugene Baars

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.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
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.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PVT Baars was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
William Eugene Baars
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 19
Birth Date: October 12, 1922  -  Birth Place: Elsie, Nebraska
Residence Place: Vancouver, Washington
Registration Date: 6/30/1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Kaiser
Weight: 180, Height: 5' 9"
Complexion: Light brown
Eye Color: Hazel   -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: William Baars
Members of Household: William Eugene Baars, Self
Next Of Kin, Father

WWII Hospital Admission Records
 None found

Note 1: The death location, "On New Guinea" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PVT Baars, this location was estimated on:

A. His Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623, identifies his assigned unit as the 20th Infantry Regiment. In 1944 the 20th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division, Pacific Theater of Operations.

B. At the time PVT Baars was Killed In Action the 6th Infantry Division and was conducting combat operations on New Guinea during June 1944.

C. Further information on the 20th Infantry Regiment and the 6th Infantry Division can be found at Wikipedia site 6th Infantry Division.

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) - See Note 2

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Note 2. Information is sourced from the public domain and may be copied and distributed without permission.