He enlisted as an air cadet Jan 27, 1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN. He received his commission in Oct 1942 at Luke AAF, AZ. He had attended the University of Indiana, Bloomington and University of Idaho, Moscow prior to his enlistment.

He was assigned to the 353rd Fighter Squadron Jun 5,1944, then stationed at RAF Lashenden, near Headcorn, Kent, England, which was one of the first Advanced Landing Grounds, later to be used in France.

By Jul 3, the unit was stationed in Criqueville, France. Then, in August, they moved to Gael/A-31 (Advanced Landing Ground occupied from Aug 13-Sep 17,1944). It had been a former Luftwaffe airfield. He was credited with 3 aerial victories Aug 16,1944.

He was killed when his P-51D-5 Mustang (#44-13895) crashed into a pine grove at the end of the runway due to engine failure.

The former Atterbury AFB of Columbus, IN was renamed Bakalar AFB in his honor in 1954. It was selected for closure in 1969.

His Distinguished Service Cross citation:

Awarded posthumously for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John E. Bakalar , United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 August 1944, while participating in a controlled area sweep over enemy occupied territory.

On this date, Lieutenant Bakalar took part in a diving attack upon a numerically superior enemy formation. Attacked constantly by the enemy who all but encircled him, and despite the fact that he had become separated from his wingman just after the initial dive, he fearlessly engaged one enemy aircraft after another and destroyed three of them.

The outstanding heroism and complete disregard for personal safety displayed by Lieutenant Bakalar on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 97 (December 11, 1944)
Action Date: 16-Aug-44
Service: Army Air Forces
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: 353d Fighter Squadron
Regiment: 354th Fighter Group

Division: 9th Air Force

Bakalar, John Edmond, 1st Lt