2 May 1927 to 13 February 2013

CPT (Ret.) James “Jim” Baker, age 86, passed away at his home in Chula Vista, CA. He is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years June “Julie” Baker and his children Kathleen Pianka, Kenneth Baker, and Philip Baker. He was preceded in death by a fourth child Donna Baker. In April, Jim will be inurned with full military honors at the Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. Julie will be relocating to Essex, England to be with her family.

Jim was a veteran of three wars. His military career began in the US Navy during World War II as a combat air crewman. He later served during the Korean War. In 1958, Jim enlisted with the US Army and gravitated into the intelligence field. He would go on to serve 13 active years in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War with Special Forces and CIA. Some of Jim’s many assignments were as Chief of Special Projects 1802 on Okinawa; Advisor to MEO Gen. Vang Pao in Laos; Counter Insurgency & 3rd Country Opertions in Thailand; Assistant XO JUSPAO in Saigon; XO CORDS, IV CTZ in Canto, Vietnam; Province OIC in Vinh Binh and Xuyen Provinces in Vietnam; Senior Advisor Special Police Branch for the National Police Command for Counter Espionage/Intelligence in Saigon; MACV-SOG Ops. Jim also served with the 1st SFG(A) on Okinawa, RYIS HQ G-2, and B/2/12th SFG(A) USAR in El Paso, TX.

Among his awards and decorations are the US Nany Combat Air Crew Badge, Special Forces Tab, Parachute Badge, Army commendation Medal w/V device, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm, Vietnamese RD Medal w/Gold Palm, Vietnamese National Police Honor Medal.

Jim and Julie were active members of the Chapter 75. Jim was a gentleman and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Jim served his country long and well with honor - De Oppresso Liber.