MSG John Franklin Baker, Jr
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MSG John Franklin Baker, Jr

  • October 30, 1945 - January 20, 2012
  • Columbia, South Carolina
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Memories & Candles

“Thanks from Our Hearts for His Military Service.. God Bless ”
1 of 50 | Posted by: DAVID & JUDY STRATTON - CA

“Farewell to a True American Hero, One who loved his country in time of War and In peace. Thank you for your years of service to our nation and to our...Read More » ”
2 of 50 | Posted by: Frank Weick - Columbia, SC

“The Society only had a few months to value you as an Honored Member. We will miss you, as will the Country you gave so much for. To the family,...Read More » ”
3 of 50 | Posted by: Al Ankrum, NC, Scottish American Military Society - NC

“Uncle John was a HERO to our family! I always looked up to him and was greatful to have him as a personal example of committment and integrity. I...Read More » ”
4 of 50 | Posted by: David Lee Cunningham - Milwaukee, WI

“I had the honor and pleasure of meeting MSgt Baker at the MOH Convention in 2000. He was a great Hero and American. I am proud to have known him...Read More » ”
5 of 50 | Posted by: Richard P Ryan - Las Vegas, NV

“John you will be missed so very much. I Will aways remember you as a very nice person... ”
6 of 50 | Posted by: SHARON & SUSAN DRURY ONTARIO

“My prayers are with your family. ”
7 of 50 | Posted by: BERNICE WARD - Conway, SC

“MSG Baker served his country well. Our loss is heaven's gain. Semper Fi ”
8 of 50 | Posted by: Thomas C Rollins, USMC 1969-71 - SC

“Aunt Donnell, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Know the family loves you very much! Johnny lived a very fulfilling grand life. He has...Read More » ”
9 of 50 | Posted by: Amanda Cunningham - moline, IL

“I did not have the privilige to meet Mr. Baker but by reading his bio, I know heaven's streets are safer today with MSG Baker patrolling them. Semper...Read More » ”
10 of 50 | Posted by: Keith White - Lexington, SC

“I will always love you John....and you will live on in my memories and will NEVER be forgotten.I am so proud and blessed to have had you in my life...Read More » ”
11 of 50 | Posted by: Debbie Cunningham - Davenport, IA

“I was deeply saddened to learn of MSG Baker's passing, and extend my condolences. Even though I did not know MSG Baker we share a common bond. I...Read More » ”
12 of 50 | Posted by: Ben Kinlaw - Barnwell, SC

“Donnell: Patricia & I would like to express our deepest sympathies for your loss of John. Sincerely, Craig & Patricia Allison ”
13 of 50 | Posted by: Craig R. Allison and Patricia A. Allison - IL

“MSGT John F. Baker, Jr. Proud American, Gallant Soldier and Dearest Friend. Knowing John made me so proud to be an American and a Veteran. ...Read More » ”
14 of 50 | Posted by: Jack H. Brown - San Bernardino, CA

“MSGT John F. Baker, Jr. Proud American, Gallant Soldier and Dearest Friend. Knowing John made me so proud to be an American and a Veteran. ...Read More » ”
15 of 50 | Posted by: Jack H. Brown - San Bernardino, CA

“Soar on Eagles Wings ”
16 of 50 | Posted by: A.R. Cady - Lexington, SC

“I had the great privilege of meeting and working with MSG Baker during the CMOH Meeting in Charleston. He was a man of dignity and humility and got...Read More » ”
17 of 50 | Posted by: CDR Michael Mercer USN (Ret) - SC

“I feel honored and blessed to have known John. He was a Great American and I will miss him dearly. My most sincere sympathy to his beloved wife...Read More » ”
18 of 50 | Posted by: Marilyn Ryan - Corona, CA

“Ms. Donnell--I send this message with a deep sorrow for you and your family. Our country has lost more than a hero, and you so much more than a...Read More » ”
19 of 50 | Posted by: MSgt Glen A. Molen USMC Ret'd - SC

“John seemed always a great man, but humble. John Baker was the epitome of a hero and a wondderfulguy to have known. Like Audie Murphy, He would...Read More » ”
20 of 50 | Posted by: Jim Seay - Irmo, SC

“John, Always carried the MOH with honor and made all of us proud to call him "friend". We'll miss him very much. ”
21 of 50 | Posted by: CSM David M. Pelletier, SCSG - SC

“Thank you for serving for our freedom and this great country. The United States of America. May God you and your family. ”
22 of 50 | Posted by: Cpl. John Pisarcik - Greenville, SC

“It is with heartfelt sympathy and deepest regrets to the family and friends of MSG Baker. I had the utmost priviledge of meeting MSG Baker while...Read More » ”
23 of 50 | Posted by: Marilyn Pearcy - Summerville, SC

“My sincere condolences go to the family and friends. As a soldier serving my country in Germany I am proud to follow in his foot steps. A MSGis a...Read More » ”
24 of 50 | Posted by: William Stuckley - Columbia, SC

“Please accept our condolences on the loss of such an American hero. I saw the news story last night and just wanted to let his family know that we...Read More » ”
25 of 50 | Posted by: Betsy - SC

“Such a great loss is felt nationwide. I had the honor of meeting John several times, he was the epitome of greatness. He will be missed by all who...Read More » ”
26 of 50 | Posted by: Leo H Korth - Davenport, IA

“I had hopes of re-uniting this August in Baltimore at the Wolfhounds reeunion. A lot of sand has passed through the hour glass my friend. You will be...Read More » ”
27 of 50 | Posted by: Chuck Dean - Opelika, AL

“I am so glad we got to have Christmas Dinner together this year. I reviewed the photos today of John with the Chapin Choral Group. He was happy and...Read More » ”
28 of 50 | Posted by: LTC Charles R. Campbell - Clinton, SC

“Donnell--it is with deep sorrow that I send this message. I remember you and John at many of the functions of the Speedy Wilson Detachment. He was...Read More » ”
29 of 50 | Posted by: Captain jim Vinyard, USMC - York, SC

“Donnel, I was so sorry to hear about John today. I only just caught the end of story on the news & to do a search to find out more. I remember...Read More » ”
30 of 50 | Posted by: Ann Fitzgerald - Columbia, SC

“John, I am so proud to have known you. You will be greatly missed by the many that love and respect you. Godspeed my friend. ”
31 of 50 | Posted by: Philip Davenport - Columbia, SC

“John we will all miss you so very much. I have know you for the past 4 years and I am very himble to ever be in your presence. You have done so much...Read More » ”
32 of 50 | Posted by: Jim Wertman - Batesburg, SC

“Thank You MSG Baker for your service and your leadership.You are the symbol of a true soldier and a remarkable man. Thank you. ”
33 of 50 | Posted by: SSGT Chris McAlister - GA

“John will be missed by many. ”
34 of 50 | Posted by: Don & Linda Deering

“John, you are now free to soar with the eagles you so dearly love. My condolences to Donnell and the Baker family. It was a once in a lifetime...Read More » ”
35 of 50 | Posted by: Chris Hansley - Tinley Park, IL

“We are proud & honored to be a neighbor - our deepest sympathy. ”
36 of 50 | Posted by: Jeff Lummel & Karen - Columbia, SC

“I drive over the bridge that is dedicated to this Hero on the way to work every day. I stop at the area where he is honored at the Casino and honor...Read More » ”
37 of 50 | Posted by: Darrell R. Vincent - Alpha, IL

“Thank you for your service ”
38 of 50 | Posted by: Craig & Cindy Hoogheem - IL

“America has lost a great Patriot. May God lift him up and grant him eternal peace. We are all fortunate that he served our country with such...Read More » ”
39 of 50 | Posted by: Butch Sincock - Flourtown, PA

“Thank you John Baker and wife Donnell for coming to Indianapolis this past October. It was an honor to have you help dedicate the Indianapolis Medal...Read More » ”
40 of 50 | Posted by: Jill Fewell - Indianapolis, IN

“Our most sincere thoughts and prayers of sympathy are with you during your time of loss. May God Bless and keep you. ”
41 of 50 | Posted by: Jimmy R. Williams CW4 (RET) - SC

“It was such an HONOR to have met Sgt Baker. My deepest condolences go out to you Darlene and the rest of the family. We have lost a HERO. I will...Read More » ”
42 of 50 | Posted by: Marci Meyerowich - Tequesta, FL

“Having met MSG Baker, I can say that he was the most humble man I have known. This country lost a great patriot. ”
43 of 50 | Posted by: David Davis - Lexington, SC

“Just a fine, fine man, soldier, hero and activist. May God's peace envelop him and let the example of his quiet service pass to us all. ”
44 of 50 | Posted by: Mark Manczuk - Columbia, SC

“we will miss u soo much. we all had good memories. we all love you. love always tiffy baker ”
45 of 50 | Posted by: tiffany baker - muscatine, IA

“It was an honor and pleasure to have met John and to have him participate with Chapter P in the Veteran's Charity Rides over the last several years....Read More » ”
46 of 50 | Posted by: Eric Prevost - West Columbia, SC

“Grant unto him eternal rest, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. Amen. ”
47 of 50 | Posted by: US Army Veteran - Fairfax, VA

“RIP my Hero! I cant say Thank you enough! My thoughts and prayers go out to your wife and family - may they find the peace they need at this...Read More » ”
48 of 50 | Posted by: emelie pappas - DeQuincy, LA

“Donnell, Our thoughts and prayers are with you your family. It was an honor and privlage to be able to call you both friends. I still remember...Read More » ”
49 of 50 | Posted by: John & Cynthia Berry - Columbia, SC

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends our deepest sympathies to the Baker family. ”
50 of 50 | Posted by: Greg Dunbar - Columbia, SC


Army
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COLUMBIA - A Funeral service for MSG John Franklin Baker, Jr., US Army (Ret.), 66, will be held on Friday January 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Post Theater on Fort Jackson. Committal service will be, Monday, April 16, 2012 at 11:00 am, in Ft. Meyer Memorial Chapel followed by interment in Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
MSG Baker, husband of Mrs. Donnell Brazil Baker, died Friday, January 20, 2012. Born October 30, 1945 in Davenport, Iowa, he was a son of the late John Franklin Baker, Sr. and Mary Isabelle Enderton Baker. He graduated from Moline High School in 1966, and later took courses at the University of Hawaii. Baker entered the U.S. Army in Moline, Illinois, serving as a private in "A" Company, 2nd Battalion of the 27th Infantry, known as The "Wolfhounds". He served 300 missions as a "tunnel rat" in Vietnam, a soldier who entered Viet Cong tunnels searching out the enemy and destroying their caches of war material. In Vietnam, Baker took part in Operation Attleboro which began in September 1966. On November 5, 1966, Baker and his unit were called to assist another squad who were taking enemy fire. En route, his Company began to take fire and lost their lead soldier. Together with two other soldiers, Baker took over the head of the column and assisted in destroying two enemy positions. They were moving to take two others when a hand grenade knocked Baker off of his feet. With the two other soldiers wounded, Baker "single ... READ MORE →