55th Veteran of the Quarter, Franklin Baker, US Army
June 27, 2024
In Oct of 1952, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Baker was drafted into the US Army from his hometown of Santa Maria, CA and inducted into service by way of Los Angeles, CA. Basic Training was held at Camp Roberts where he graduated Leaders Course. Thereafter, he was retained as an instructor until receipt of orders for Officers Candidate School in Oct of 1953. There, he spent 22 weeks and graduated as 2nd Lieutenant Artillery in April of 1954 at Ft. Sill, OK. While there, his unit participated in the 1955 Louisiana maneuvers, and he recalls holding up a freight train for two hours because a 280 MM cannon became high-centered on a Louisiana train crossroad!
In 1957, a first of its kind, his Honest John unit was trained, tested, and deployed with family to Vincenza, Italy as part of the Southern European Task Force established during the Cold War. In 1960, Baker returned to Fort Sill and over the next few years, he continued his training. By April of 1963, he was assigned to Military Assistance Command Vietnam at Tan An in Kien Phong Province in Vietnam. During one joint operation he witnessed the 37th casualty of war and later, ensured delivery of personal items to the deceased pilot’s widow and two boys. By Aug 1963, Baker had become the Assistant G-2 Intel Advisor after the death of his predecessor. Baker again made a visit to the Officer’s widow extending condolences. Three months of his time in this position was spent collecting intel and attempting a rescue mission for POW 1LT Nick Rowe.
Following Vietnam, Baker returned to Ft. Sill as the Executive Officer for a 105MM Training Battalion and later transitioned into the role of S4 Supply and Maintenance Officer for the Training Center. In 1965, he transferred to the position of Assistant G4 at Headquarters USAAMC, Ft. Sill.
His next assignment took him to MAAG in Taiwan, Republic of China, as one of a 5-man US Army Forces Taiwan Logistics Planning Staff from 1966-1968. The team worked to develop Logistics Control Centers in the Nationalist Chinese Army and wrote major portions of two Contingency Operation Plans to support the Taiwan Defense Command. In May 1968, he obtained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska and returned to Ft. Sill as Chief of Maintenance Management Division. In 1970, Baker received orders to report to Korea. While there he was reassigned to HQ 2nd Infantry Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G4, Supply and Maintenance Officer. There he upgraded the procedure for obtaining replacement parts for units of the 2nd Division, upgraded vehicles from the deactivated 7th Division, and signed all equipment and munitions on the DMZ over to his counterpart in the South Korean Army. This ended the US Army occupation of the DMZ forthe first time in 18.5 years and the 2nd Division became the only US major ground forces left in Korea.
In July of 1971, Baker returned to Ft. Sill for his 5th and final tour. On December 31, 1972, Franklin Baker retired from the US Army as a Reserve Commissioned Officer, LTC (0-5), with 20 years, 1 month, and 18 days of continuous active duty. Baker received numerous accolades to include: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Korea Defense Service Medal, AFEM, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.
In 1973, Baker returned to California. There, he started his career at Coast Federal Bank and rose to the rank of Regional Vice President, serving 22 years before retirement. In 1995, he moved to Kimberling City, MO and became involved in many local organizations to include: Tri-Lakes Chamber, Stone Co Kiwanis, University of Missouri Extension, MOZARK Retired Military Officers, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Veterans of the Ozarks. Baker enjoys classic cars and meeting with his military friends. Franklin Baker has five children via two marriages and reflects on the memory of his late, second wife.
Veterans are chosen by a panel of peers. To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please visit: www.bransonbank.com or stop by any Branson Bank location to pick up a Nomination Form.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!