World War II Honoree

Wilbur D. Baker, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Patricia L. Cassel

Relationship

Daughter

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY ON FEBRUARY 12, 1945 WHILE HE WAS STILL A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. SENT TO JAPAN FOLLOWING BASIC TRAINING AND SERVED IN THE 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION. WHILE STATIONED IN JAPAN HE SAW THE AFTERMATH OF THE BOMB DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA. AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE ARMISTICE TREATY, HE WAS SENT TO KOREA AS PART OF THE OCCUPATION TROOPS WHERE HE SERVED AS MILITARY POLICE. JANUARY 1946, CRITICALLY INJURED WHEN THE JEEP HE WAS RIDING IN HIT A LANDMINE. SENT BACK TO THE UNITED STATES ON THE HOSPITAL SHIP USS COMFORT AND LATER ADMITTED TO PERCY JONES ARMY HOSPITAL IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN. RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE ARMY WHEN HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM PERCY JONES ARMY HOSPITAL IN AUGUST 1946. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.