World War II Honoree

Joseph Anthony Baker

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Honored By

William Fischer, Jr.

Relationship

Grateful Citizen

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON 5 APRIL 1944 AT WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA. SEA SERVICE FROM 20 DECEMBER 1944 TO 13 NOVEMBER 1945 AS PART OF THE COMMISSIONING CREW ABOARD USS LACERTA (AKA-29), SOON MOVING TROOPS AND SUPPLIES FROM GUADALCANAL AND SAIPAN FOR THE INVASION OF OKINAWA, EARNING A BATTLE STAR. THEN THE SHIP FERRIED CARGO AMONG THE SOLOMON AND MARIANA ISLANDS BEFORE SHE CARRIED TROOPS AND SUPPLIES FROM MANILA TO YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, AND TIENTSIN, CHINA, FOR POST-WAR OCCUPATION DUTY, BEFORE STEAMING FOR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE ON 24 NOVEMBER 1945 AT SAMPSON NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, NEW YORK.