Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

Weldon Alexander Baird (1915-1942)

MC Class: 1939

Years at MC: 1935-1939

Hometown: Kilbourne, OH

Life at MC: Mathematics Major; Athenian, Sophomore Class President, Athletic Board President, YMCA President, Track Team (Captain in Senior Year), Basketball Team, Cross Country Team, Chilhowean Business Manager (Junior Year), "M" Book Business Manager (Sophomore Year), Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (Junior and Senior Years)

Military Branch: US Navy

Military Unit: Unknown

Rank: Ensign (Pilot)

Medals Awarded: None Known

Date Missing: N/A

Date of Death: 1 April 1942

Location of Death: Off coast of Santa Barbara, California in Pacific Ocean

Circumstances of Death: "Weldon A. Baird, a Navy Pilot, killed while on patrol duty off the coast of California, April 1, 1942, when his airplane fell at sea. He was the first Maryville [College] man to lose his life in this war." (from Dr. Ralph W. Lloyd's speech when Baird's gold star was added to the service flag in Voorhees Chapel)

Burial/Memorial Information: Sec. 1 61, Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55419189/weldon-alexander-baird)

Additional Information: Elder brother of William "Bill" Baird and MC football coach Boydson Howard Baird. Inducted into the Maryville College Athletics Wall of Fame in 1979 (https://www.mcscots.com/information/wof/wof_Weldon_A._Baird)

Additional Images:

Telegram to MC President Ralph W. Lloyd from Frank and Lucy Baird (parents of Baird brothers) announcing death of son

Condolence Letter from Dr. Ralph W. Lloyd to Baird Family

1939 YMCA Leadership Team: President Weldon A. Baird is second from left

1939 Basketball Games in MC's Alumni Gym: Weldon A. Baird is #18 and Boydson Baird is #13

1939 Track Team: Boydson Baird, William Baird, and Weldon Baird are on the back row, #4-6 from left.