Owen's Kill
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On March 31, 1943, Second Lieutenant Owen John Baggett was stationed in British India, as part of the 7th Bombardment Group. They had departed on a mission to destroy a bridge at Pyinmana, Burma, and while en route to their target, the group of 12 B-25s of 7th BG were intercepted by 13 Ki-43 fighters of 64 Sentai IJAAS.
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Second Lieutenant Baggett’s B-25 was stuck by the enemy fire, causing the fuel tanks to rupture which began to engulf the bomber in flames. The crew had no choice but to bail out only seconds before the aircraft exploded.
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As the B-25's crew were descending on their parachutes, the Japanese fighters came around again to pick off any of the Americans that survived bailing out. The enemy aircraft managed to kill two crewmen as they hung helplessly from their parachutes during their descent.
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As Second Lieutenant Baggett watched in horror as the Japanese fighters continued their attack, and fearing that his turn was coming up next, Owen decided to play dead and let his body hang lifeless underneath the canopy of his chute.
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He then spotted one of the Japanese fighter planes as it turned back and started its approach on him. Owen watched as it came closer and slowed as the pilot slid his canopy back...it seemed the pilot wanted to get a good look at his prey.
Waiting for the last possible second, Owen drew his .45 calibre M1911 pistol and unloaded four rounds directly at the pilot as the Japanese fighter flew past him. Seconds later, the Ki-43 departed controlled flight, and Owen watched as it plunged towards the surface.
It was on that day, March 31st, 1943, that Second Lieutenant Owen John Baggett became the first, and only aircrew to have ever shot down an enemy aircraft from a parachute.
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Baggett touched down still very much alive, but wounded, and was immediately captured by Japanese soldiers. He remained a prisoner of the Imperial Japanese Forces for the remainder of the war.
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At war end, Owen was liberated along with 37 other POWs, and returned stateside where he lived happily ever after...and with one very unique kill under his belt
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