Harry E. Baker, Jr.
About Harry E. Baker, Jr.
Harry E. Baker, Jr.
United States Army
Vietnam War
SP4
9/23/1949 – 3/31/1970 Killed in Action, Quang Ngai, South Vietnam
Harry E Baker Jr. was serving his country during the Vietnam War when he gave his all in the line of duty. Harry was drafted into the Army, via Selective Service. He began his tour on 17 October 1969. His military occupation or specialty was Light Weapons Infantry. He was attached to 11th Light Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, D Company, U.S. Army. Baker had the rank of Specialist Four.
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Specialist Four Baker experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on 31 March 1970. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action .. explosive device. Incident location: Tra Khuk River, South Vietnam, Quang Ngai province.
Harry is remembered by Army brother David Boyer:
“Harry was my hooch partner and best friend. Harry was killed about 20 feet in front of me by a booby trip in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.”
In 2009, another of Harry’s “hooch partners”, posted this tribute to Harry on his virtual wall memorial page:
"Harry taught me everything about how to survive being a Point-man in the Jungle-areas of Vietnam -- and to keep others from dying as a result of my actions."
"Although Harry kept to himself like everyone else (less painful when you don't know the guy just blown to bits), that wasn't the case with me. He watched-over me; kept me alive."
Bob Butler, another of Harry’s “hooch partners”, posted this on his wall:
"WE (Harry and I) WENT TO BOOT CAMP TOGETHER [and then we] MEET UP IN VIETNAM. I REMEMBER YOU [HARRY] EVERY TIME I SEE THE AMERICAN FLAG.
Harry's death taught me my final, most important lesson: Vietnam requires 24/7 vigilance and compliance with Baker's rules: we were on routine patrol, waiting a few miles away from our 10-day rest period on Firebase 411. We were checking abandoned Hooches along the River. Harry, however, was distracted, daydreaming about his R & R a few days away -- in Hawaii, I believe. He then broke his #2 most important rule: NEVER walk-on or lead the guys along a cut trail or trampled-down ground (#1 place for booby traps). Harry never felt a thing; gone in an instant
I'm 71. If there is such a thing as Heaven, Harry is one of the first people I'll track-down."
For his service and sacrifice, Harry E. Baker, Jr. was awarded The Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Marksmanship Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietna Service Medal, the Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Harry E. Baker, Jr. was born on 23 September 1949. According to records, Michigan was his home or enlistment state and Wayne county has been included within the archival record. Military records have Plymouth listed as his city at the time of his enlistment . However, from memorial comments from friends, we know that Harry attended Mesa Jr. High School and Mesa Senior High School in Arizona.
Harry E. Baker, Jr. is interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Harry is remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall. Panel 12w. Line 61.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BakerHE01a.htm
https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/2057/HARRY-E-BAKER-JR/