Joseph A. Baer

Joseph Augustus Baer (April 29, 1878 – August 30, 1958) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran cavalry officer of several conflicts, he distinguished himself first during the fighting with Moro rebels in the Philippines in 1909 and then during his service with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Baer later received a Silver Star citation for this act of bravery. He remained with the 6th Cavalry in the Philippines, was promoted to captain of cavalry in March 1911, and returned to the United States that July.

He served as an executive officer of that regiment for almost two years. Following his promotion to colonel of cavalry, he assumed command of 11th Cavalry in August 1929. Baer was subsequently ordered to the Office of Chief of Army Intelligence in Washington, D.C. for briefing, and then ordered to Europe for duty as military attaché to Austria and Czechoslovakia with seat in Vienna. He remained in that capacity until July 1933, and witnessed Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Baer: