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Ralph E. Baker
Posted 5/3/07
Ralph E. Baker LAUREL - Ralph E. Baker passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2007, as a resident of Lifecare at Lofland Park, Seaford. He was formerly of Laurel. Born in Laurel, he was the son of the late …
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Ralph E. Baker
Posted
Ralph E. Baker
LAUREL - Ralph E. Baker passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2007, as a resident of Lifecare at Lofland Park, Seaford. He was formerly of Laurel.
Born in Laurel, he was the son of the late Glenn W. and Myrtle E. Baker. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur Baker, Marshall Baker and Helen Nichols.
Mr. Baker was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, serving as a medical technician with the 1st Battalion 307 Medical Division. His brigade made the first wave landing on Guam, Okinawa, Leyte and other islands. He was awarded the Silver Star in the Battle of Barrigada for the evacuation of wounded men while coming under fire, he also received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Mr. Baker was honored with five other battle stars for serving with bravery and distinction during World War II. He was discharged from the Army as a sergeant. Mr. Baker returned to Guam in July 1994 to participate in the 50th Anniversary Golden Salute Celebration, taking along his infantry flag that was planted on the island when U.S. troops invaded.
He later retired from the National Guard as a chief warrant officer in 1960. In 2004, Mr. Baker was honored by the Delaware National Guard when all training sites were named in his honor. His name was placed on the sign at the Bethany Beach training site. During a speech by Adjutant Gen. MG Francis Vavala at a ceremony honoring Mr. Baker, he stated, "Honesty, integrity and complete devotion to duty have enabled Chief Baker to achieve the highest of military standards, and his actions should be emulated by all soldiers. Chief Warrant Officer Baker's distinguished service to this nation and state reflects great credit upon himself, the Delaware National Guard, and the U.S. Army."
Mr. Baker retired from Phillips Men Shop.
He was Past Master of Hope Lodge 4 in Laurel, and a 32nd Degree Mason in the Delaware Consistory. He also served as Worthy Patron of Laurel Chapter 18 for nine years, and as Grand Chaplin in the Grand Chapter of O.E.S.
Mr. Baker was a poet, with many published poems.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel D. Baker of Bethel; his daughters, Donna Saunders of Ardmore, Pa., Dorey Cummings and her husband Bob of Seaford, and Reta Leath and her husband Jeff of Bowmansville, Pa.; a sister, Georgia Lee Cannon of Delmar, Md.; his grandchildren, Marcie Hassett, Cathie Tyler, Mallory Leath, Phillips Leath and Kyle Leath; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Masonic services will be in the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, on Friday at 2 p.m., followed by a funeral service officiated by the Rev. Arthur Smith. Friends and family may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Bethel United Methodist Church, 7774 Main St., Bethel, DE 19931.
LAUREL - Ralph E. Baker passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2007, as a resident of Lifecare at Lofland Park, Seaford. He was formerly of Laurel.
Born in Laurel, he was the son of the late Glenn W. and Myrtle E. Baker. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur Baker, Marshall Baker and Helen Nichols.
Mr. Baker was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, serving as a medical technician with the 1st Battalion 307 Medical Division. His brigade made the first wave landing on Guam, Okinawa, Leyte and other islands. He was awarded the Silver Star in the Battle of Barrigada for the evacuation of wounded men while coming under fire, he also received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Mr. Baker was honored with five other battle stars for serving with bravery and distinction during World War II. He was discharged from the Army as a sergeant. Mr. Baker returned to Guam in July 1994 to participate in the 50th Anniversary Golden Salute Celebration, taking along his infantry flag that was planted on the island when U.S. troops invaded.
He later retired from the National Guard as a chief warrant officer in 1960. In 2004, Mr. Baker was honored by the Delaware National Guard when all training sites were named in his honor. His name was placed on the sign at the Bethany Beach training site. During a speech by Adjutant Gen. MG Francis Vavala at a ceremony honoring Mr. Baker, he stated, "Honesty, integrity and complete devotion to duty have enabled Chief Baker to achieve the highest of military standards, and his actions should be emulated by all soldiers. Chief Warrant Officer Baker's distinguished service to this nation and state reflects great credit upon himself, the Delaware National Guard, and the U.S. Army."
Mr. Baker retired from Phillips Men Shop.
He was Past Master of Hope Lodge 4 in Laurel, and a 32nd Degree Mason in the Delaware Consistory. He also served as Worthy Patron of Laurel Chapter 18 for nine years, and as Grand Chaplin in the Grand Chapter of O.E.S.
Mr. Baker was a poet, with many published poems.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel D. Baker of Bethel; his daughters, Donna Saunders of Ardmore, Pa., Dorey Cummings and her husband Bob of Seaford, and Reta Leath and her husband Jeff of Bowmansville, Pa.; a sister, Georgia Lee Cannon of Delmar, Md.; his grandchildren, Marcie Hassett, Cathie Tyler, Mallory Leath, Phillips Leath and Kyle Leath; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Masonic services will be in the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, on Friday at 2 p.m., followed by a funeral service officiated by the Rev. Arthur Smith. Friends and family may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Bethel United Methodist Church, 7774 Main St., Bethel, DE 19931.
