The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-04-28

Mobile, April s7.-(Special l-Lieut Paul Frank Baer, A S. S. C., U. s. R., who has just won his American "ace," has achieved his ambition. This fact was revealed by letter from Lieu father. MT. A. E. Baer, an engineer of the Louisville and Nashville railroad The letter was dated March 13. That date was the birthday of Daddy" Baer and his son for the moment forgot everything else that his father in America might know that he was re- membered
 Lieutenant Baer told his father in his letter that he had had five com bullets in his machine. but shot down two Germans "and perhaps another one not yet confirmed he said. Previous to winning his "ace' Lieu- tenant Baer had been decorated with the distinguished service cross," only two American aviators having received that honor. The other American Is Lieutenant Hall. referred to in young | Baer's letter. The distinguished serv- | ice cross" was awarded to Baer for i shooting down a Hun aviator in bat ! tie against great odds. At the time ! he was attacked by seven German l fliers.
 Describing that fight Lieutenant ] Baer said he did some scientific re- treating"
 | T only had enough gasoline for 10 minutes more flight" he wrote his father in Mobile, adding, "and l was six or eight kilometers inside their 1 (the Hun) lines.
 l T pointed my machine at the closest one to me, and as soon as l got right or l him I opened up with my machine gur and down he went. The rest of them came at me at the same time and sure did some scientific retreating." Lieutenant Baer bagged his first he claims to have shot down seven men five of which are credited officially His letter follows:
 | "LaFayette Escadrille, March 13 1918. Dear Dad: If I remember right
 today is your birthday. I will write you a letter.
 "The last few days here have beer wonderful-just like summer I sup, pose you are having some pretty fine weather also. March, during the whole month, was terrible.
 Well. dad, at last I got my frs
 official German airplane. Day befor, yesterday tMarch Il. p. m. m.) I, un, accompanied, was flying inside tht German lines. As time drew near fol me to come home, as I had been ou my full time, and while almost at oul lines, the French sent up signal te
 me which told me in what sector the Boehe were. I turned around and wa. greeted by seven German planes Par of the enemy machines were above ms and part of them below
 Well, only had enough gasoline fol
 ten minutes more flight. and I was six
 or eight kilometers inside their lines.
 T pointed my machine at the closes
 one to me, and as I got right on him opened up with my machine gun ant
 down he went. The rest of them cam. at me and at the same time sure dic Nsome scientific retreating. Well, tn,
 Hun l killed is official; that is, I go
 credit for killing him. He fell abou seven kilometers in his own lines. bu
 the French saw him hit the ground
 "The next morning, March F, at 9:2
 O clock, speared another Hun It wa
 in just about the same place as the frs
 one killed. He was about ten or eev
 en kilometers within his lines when h,
 fell saw him crash into the ground
 He was one of a patrol of five Boches
 Again l had to do some scientific re
 treating l had all of them on m, ] tail. Their bullets were flying al