Paul W. Baade

Major General Paul William Baade (April 16, 1889 – October 9, 1959) was a highly decorated United States Army officer. An alumnus of the United States Military Academy (USMA) alumni and veteran of World War I and World War II, he is most noted as one of the four wartime commanders of the 35th Infantry Division during the latter conflict.

Baade distinguished himself during his service in the Battle of Normandy in mid-1944, where he received several decorations for bravery and leadership. He later led his division during the siege of Bastogne and in combat in the Netherlands.

Early life and military career

Paul William Baade was born on April 16, 1889, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a son of Fred C. Baade and his wife Anna Paul Baade. Following high school, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, in June 1907 and earned nickname "Baby Paul" due to his clear blue eyes and velvet-like skin. During his time at the Academy, Baade reached the rank of cadet lieutenant, and was active on the baseball and hockey squads.

He graduated 49th in a class of 82 cadets on June 13, 1911, with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch on the same date. Many of his classmates, such as Charles P. Hall, William H. H. Morris Jr., Alexander Surles, John R. Homer, Raymond A. Wheeler, John P. Lucas, Harry R. Kutz, Herbert Dargue, Ira T. Wyche, Karl S. Bradford, Frederick Gilbreath, Gustav H. Franke, Philip B. Fleming, Jesse A. Ladd, Thompson Lawrence, Bethel Wood Simpson, James B. Crawford, Joseph C. Mehaffey, Harold F. Nichols and James R.N. Weaver, also became general officers before, during or after World War II.

World War I Following the American entry into World War I in April 1917, Baade was promoted to the temporary rank of major and attended the Sixth Division’s Foreign Officers’ School. He then served at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, until he embarked for France with the advance party of the 81st Infantry Division under Brigadier General Charles H. Barth in July 1918.

Baade resided in Santa Barbara, California, and served as vice president of the Botanic Gardens, and also on the boards of directors of the Channel City Club, the Valley Club of Montecito, and the Montecito Board. He was also active in the Episcopal Church.