Thurston Baxter
The following information pertains to a serviceman who remains classified as Missing In Action.
Thurston R. Baxter
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service Number: 20102A
Date Missing: 12/21/1951
Unit: 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron 18th Fighter Bombardment Group
Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force
Listed On Wall/Tablet: Honolulu Memorial
Rosette In Place:
Recoverability Status:
Next Steps: USMA Class of 1950, First Lieutenant Baxter was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. ** First Lieutenant Baxter was awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
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