Wilder D. Baker

Wilder DuPuy Baker (July 22, 1890 – November 10, 1975) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice admiral. A Naval Academy graduate, Baker commanded submarines and destroyers in his early career and rose to the Flag rank following the United States entry into World War II. He subsequently commanded Task Force 94 during the first surface bombardment of the Japanese home islands and led the first offensive operations into the Sea of Okhotsk. Baker was decorated with a Navy Cross for this actions.

He later served as Commander Service Force, Atlantic Fleet and completed his career as Commandant, Eleventh Naval District with additional duty as Commander, Naval Base San Diego and Commander Southern California Sector, Western Sea Frontier in August 1952.

Early career

Wilder DuPuy Baker was born on July 22, 1890, in Topeka, Kansas, as a son of local newspaperman, Isaac Newcomb Baker, and grandson of Topeka editor Floyd Perry Baker. Following graduation from Eastern High School in Bay City, Michigan in summer 1910, Baker received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. During his time at the Academy, he was active in the soccer team and was nicknamed "Bake".

Baker graduated with Bachelor of Science degree on June 5, 1914 and was commissioned Ensign on that date. Upon the graduation, he consecutively served aboard USS Florida, USS Jason and USS North Carolina and took part in the operations in the Syrian waters.

Baker then served for a year at Portsmouth Navy Yard, before he returned to sea for duty as Executive officer of destroyer USS Marcus in October 1925. He took part in the patrol cruises with the Pacific Fleet and was appointed commanding officer of destroyer USS Kidder in August 1926. Baker spent two years in this capacity and was transferred to the Division of Fleet Training in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral Charles F. Hughes.

World War II Celebration of Surrender of Japan on August 22, 1945. From left to right: Rear admiral Robert B. Carney; Captain J.P.L. Reid, RN; Admiral Bernard Rawlings, RN; Admiral William Halsey Jr.; Vice admiral John S. McCain Sr.; and Baker. Following the United States entry into World War II, Baker served briefly Anti-Submarine Warfare officer on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet under Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll in March 1942. He also held additional duty as Commander of Fleet's Anti-Submarine Unit. Baker was ordered to Washington, D.C. in May that year and joined the headquarters, United States Fleet under Admiral Ernest J. King also as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer.

He was present aboard battleship USS Missouri during the Japanese Surrender Ceremony in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. For his service under Admiral McCain, Baker was decorated with Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".

While in this capacity, Baker was decorated with Brazilian Order of Naval Merit, rank Commander and Mexican Military Merit, 1st Class. He retired on August 1, 1952 after 42 years of active duty and was advanced to the rank of Vice admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Vice admiral Wilder D. Baker died on November 10, 1975, aged 85, in San Diego. He was married three times, first to Constance Metcalf with whom he had his first born and only daughter Constance Baker, who married future Vice admiral Harold G. Bowen Jr. Following his first wife's early death, he married Cora Barry, daughter of David Sheldon Barry, US Senate Sergeant at Arms and Cora Bonney, with whom he had a son Wilder D. Baker Jr., a graduate of Yale University and Phillips Academy. Following the death of Cora he married for the third time in 1971 to Joyce Read.

From 1956-1958 he served as Chairman of the Board of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Wilder D. Baker: