Sgt Joseph Baraga, USMC

• http://missingmarines.com/page/44/

Joseph Baraga was born to farmer Karl Baraga and his wife Josephine in 1915. He was raised on the family farm in Sagola, Michigan; the large size of the family meant that John left school early in order to help out on the farm.

Enlistment and Boot Camp: Baraga was living in San Diego when he decided to enlist on January 3, 1939. After completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego, Baraga was chosen for additional training at Sea School.

Service Prior to 1941: Private Baraga was assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the USS Arizona in April, 1939. He was promoted to Private First Class that December, and to Corporal after twelve months of service aboard.

Wartime Service: Baraga served aboard the Arizona from January to December 1941, and was promoted to Sergeant during that time. His primary duty station was as a gun captain for one of the battleship’s 5-inch secondary batteries, located near the bow.

Date Of Loss: Sergeant Baraga was killed in action when the Arizona was sunk at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56114639
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=11142870&PIpi...
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=baraga&GSfn=j...

Joseph Baraga was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps stationed on board the USS Arizona. He was killed in action on board the Arizona when Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. His remains were never recovered and he remains on board the Arizona.

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Joseph Baraga, 26, son of Mr. & Mrs. Karl Baraga, residing on a farm about 2 miles out of Channing, has been reported “missing in action. ” He has been a lifelong resident of that area. He last visited home about 6 months ago. He has been a member of the U.S. Marine Corps for the last 3 years & was at last reports on active duty with a ship of the Pacific Fleet. Beside his parents, a brother Louis & a sister, Leona are at home. Other sisters are: Mrs. Marie Cavall, Mrs. Sophie George, Mrs. Ann Morin, Mrs. Alice Abbott & Viola.

(Thursday, December 18, 1942, The Daily News, Iron Mountain, Dickinson, Michigan.) The complete article can be found in the above newspaper at the Dickinson County Library, Iron Mountain, Michigan.

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Joseph Baraga lost his life in the Philippines in 1942. (Dickinson County, Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs.)

SGT. BARAGA AWARDED PURPLE HEART The late Sgt. Joseph Baraga, killed when the japs made their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart along with other citations for is service in the United States Marines.

(July 27, 1943, Iron Mountain Press newspaper, Dickinson, Michigan.) The complete article can be found in the above newspaper at the Dickinson County Library, Iron Mountain, Michigan. (Courtesy of: klh) 

*** Per contributor TJ Cooper: Joseph Baraga was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps stationed on board the USS Arizona. He was killed in action on board the Arizona when Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. His remains were never recovered and he remains on board the Arizona.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 9 2018, 13:52:44 UTC

SGT United States Marine Corp. Entombed in the USS Arizona BB39 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 9 2018, 13:54:51 UTC