John E. Baker

Aviation Machinist Mate First Class John Baker was employed at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp before entering the armed forces. He enlisted in the US Naval Reserves in 1942 as an Apprentice Seaman, receiving training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He was assigned to Escort Scouting Squadron 18, serving aboard Escort Carriers USS Altamaha, USS Breton, USS Copabee and USS Prince Williams. He was assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 40 as Aviation Machinist Mate First Class as well as to an Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit, located in the New Hebrides. After serving 16 months on the Islands, John returned to the US, assigned to the US Naval Air Station at Memphis, TN. He was honorably discharged at Lido Beach, NY in December, 1945.