Title: Richard L. (Dick) Barron
Dates: 1942-1981
Collection Number: MSS 11161
Quantity: .25 foot/one 16mm film reel
Abstract: Consists of Air Force logged time and mission reports, military records (certificates, applications, appointments, recommendation letters, promotion order, personnel and squadron orders, special orders, Distinguished Flying Cross order, retirement pay order), publications and combat footage of Baron from his P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, 78th Fighter Group camera. The combat missions took place in the European Theater during World War II. The film inventory is located in Moving Image database (digitized).
Provenance: The film was donated to the State Historical Society of North Dakota by Scott Nelson in December 2009, and the paper records were donated by Bill Baron, Dick’s son, in April 2014.
Property rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to the collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed. Permission to use any radio or television broadcast portions of the collection must be sought from the creator.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
From Baron’s obituary in the Bismarck Tribune, October 9, 2007
Richard “Dick” Baron was born September 9, 1921, in Mandan (ND), the son of Joseph and Philippine (Mushik) Baron. He attended St. Joseph’s School in Mandan and Mandan High School, class of 1939, then went on to attend North Dakota State University. He worked for a short time in California at Lockheed before returning to attend Bismarck Junior College, where he received his civilian commercial pilot’s license and flew with the Civil Air Patrol. He joined the Army Air Force, where he earned his Air Force Pilots Wings in 1943. He was assigned to Eagle Squadron, a P47 Fighter Unit based in England. In the two months prior to D-Day, he flew over 80 combat missions. Dick had a passion for flying. After returning from the war, he opened an air field between Mandan and Bismarck, was a flight instructor, put on air shows and did charter flying. He later worked for a distributing company flying across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Dick remained in the Air Force reserve, flying in Bismarck and Minot. After 39 years of active and reserve service, he retired as a Lt. Col.
At the end of World War II, Dick returned to his bride, Marianne (Stebner), who he had married December 16, 1943, in Mandan, prior to going to war. The couple opened Men’s Mart Inc., a clothing store in Mandan, two ladies apparel stores, one in Mandan and one in Bismarck, called Marianne’s Ltd. As retailers, both loved to travel, especially overseas trips to German and Russia, as they were involved in the Germans from Russia Association. Through the years they enjoyed their place at Brush Lake with their grandchildren, two sons and a daughter, as well as hunting and fishing. All the while they remained civic-minded. Dick served on the Morton County Park Board for over 35 years, most of those years as chairman. After retirement they were involved in SCORE, the Small Business Administration, as advisors helping local, small businesses start up. They were both involved in the Chambers of Commerce, Rotary and the North Dakota Republican Party.
Dick was survived by one daughter, Nannette Baron, Fargo; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Bill (Gail) and Wayne “Skip” (Claire), all of Mandan; and four grandchildren, Kelly Baron, Casey (Amber) Baron, Todd Baron and Cory Baron. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Marianne; his parents; and one brother, George Baron.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 Air Force logged time and mission reports, June 6, 1944 (D-Day)-December 1944
2 World War II mission reports, 1944
3 Military records: certificates, applications, appointments, recommendation letters, promotion order, personnel and squadron orders, special orders, Distinguished Flying Cross order, retirement pay order, 1942-1981
4 Publications: 8th Air Force News, February 1977; Yank: The Army Weekly, November 12, 1944
16mm film: footage of Baron from his P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, 78th Fighter Group camera,
August 1944 (digitized)
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