CAPT Don William Baker, Jr.

Familial History

CAPT Don W. Baker, Jr. was born 15 July 1918 in Atlanta, Georgia to Marian W. and Don William Baker, Sr. He died 5 October 1944 in Peleliu, Palau, due to his injuries. In the 1940 Census, it listed 115 West Palm Lane, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona as the family residence. His occupation was listed as a salesman and had completed two years of college.

Marian Ella Webber Baker was born during 1893 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska to Lucy Schmidt and William Webber. She died 24 January 1951 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was buried alongside her son Don Jr. and husband Don Sr. in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. The Memorial #139920173.

Don William Baker, Sr. was born 4 December 1892 in Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan to Grace Thompson and John Franklin Baker. He died 15 June 1960 in Phoenix. He was buried with his family and the Memorial #139534476.

William John “Billie” or “Biff” Baker was born 4 December 1925 in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. He died 27 December 1991 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. He was interred into the Holy Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum in Tucson. The Plot was Section 3NC and the Memorial #188246951. He married Phyllis Barabe 14 August 1947 in Maricopa County; Arizona and they had 2 daughters and 2 sons.

Service History:

CAPT Don W. Baker, Jr. enlisted into the US Army September 1940 and originally in the 45th Division. He was registered as being in the US Army National Guard in the 16 September 1942 Register.

He was assigned to the 322nd Infantry Regiment, 81st Division. His Service Number O-401784.

The 81st was nicknamed the “Black Cat” Division. They were ordered into active duty in June 1942 in Camp Rucker, Alabama. They trained in several locations including Tennessee, Arizona, and California. During June 1944, they embarked for Hawaii and further training in amphibious landings and jungle warfare. The 81st departed for Guadalcanal during August 1944.

Once they arrived in Guadalcanal, they were attached to the III Marin Amphibious Corps Reserve. In September 1944, they participated in the combat landing on Angaur Island as part of the Battle for the Palau Islands.

After completing their task upon Angaur Island, they were ordered to assist the 1st Marine Division to secure Peleliu. It was during this engagement that CAPT Don William Baker, Jr. was wounded and then succumbed to his injuries.

CAPT Don W. Baker, Jr. was buried in the Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. The Memorial #154762291. His body was retrieved from the gravesite in Palau and interred into the Phoenix Cemetery on 5 February 1949.

Stories Behind the Stars:

Thank you, CAPT Don W. Baker, Jr. of the US Army, for your sacrifice and service to our country.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars Project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII Fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen’ s name and read his/her story.

If you noticed anything missing in this profile, you can contact the author, Click on the author’s name located at the bottom of the story page next to the words “added by”.

The author is Dr. Jack W. Chisum, and the email is jchisum@q.com

Resources:

U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current - AncestryInstitution.com

81st Infantry Division (United States) - Wikipedia

Don W Baker