Baran, Jerry M.

Jerry Michael Baran (1917 - 2004)
Military officer, WW II Veteran, accountant
Jerry Michael Baran Lt. Col. former Baraniuk, 86, of Miami, passed into God's hands on Wednesday, January 7, 2004.
He was predeceased last August by Lillian, his loving wife of 57 years. Born in South Bethlehem, PA, on March 5, 1917 his family eventually moved to Babylon, New York, where they ran a bowling alley and the popular Highway Diner.
After graduation from NYU in 1939 in accounting, he enlisted in the Army and was transferred to the Army Air Corps. A bombardier, squadron leader, and highly decorated WW II hero, of the 310th Bombardment Group, Jerry's anti-flak B25J, the Donna Marie II, was shot down over Northern Italy during his 78th mission on December 10, 1944, and he was forced to parachute into enemy hands, managing to salvo his payload before leaving the plane.
Wounded severely by flak and suffering a concussion, he was captured by the enemy and eventually transferred to Neurnburg-Landwasser concentration camp. Often transferred to other stalags due to his ability to command, and organize fellow prisoners, after 5 months as a POW, he was liberated from Stalag 7A on April 29, 1945, by General Patton and his Army.
His last mission was documented in The McAllister Case by Giuseppi Versolato. Jerry's selfless devotion to duty and courage earned him a Purple Heart with 2 clusters, The Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 cluster and an Air Medal with 9 clusters. In a MIA letter to his parents, his commanding officer wrote of him, "Jerry was the type of man we all wanted to know and did come to know and admire... continually looking for improvements to make life a little more comfortable for the other men.''
After the war Jerry married the love of his life, Lillian Shoman. They eventually moved to Miami where Jerry worked for the Dade County School Board for 25 years.
"Gee Gee," or "Dee Dee" is remembered by his grandchildren as a patient and kind man who said little and loved much. His family was his life. He spent most of his retirement tinkering in his garage, or tending to his garden, hoping his new crop of beets would be suitable for Lillian's borsth.
Jerry is survived by his daughter Susan Baran Blumin (Howard), his son Robert Jerry Baran (Mari) and his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michael, Amy, Robert, and Christopher.
Services Friday January 16 from 6 to 8 P.M. at Cofer-Kolski-Combs Funeral Home, 10931 N.E. 6th Avenue. Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church at 2 P.M. on Saturday by Father James P. Murphy.
Jerry will be laid to rest with his wife, Lillian, at Arlington National Cemetery on February 6, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Legion Harvey W. Seeds Post #29, 6445 N.E. 7th Avenue, Miami 33138. Dad, you were the wind beneath our wings, we will all miss you.
Source: Herald, Jan. 15, 2004