BAKER-PAUL
PAUL GERALD BAKER
Deceased
05/08/1943
Rate/Rank
LTJG
LTJG
Service Branch
USN 12/1929 - 5/1943
Born
02/20/1910
JOY, IL
KILLED IN ACTION - USS LEXINGTON CV-2, 05/08/1943. USS PAUL G. BAKER DE-642 NAMED IN HIS HONOR
VF-2 (EMBARKED USS LEXINGTON CV-2) - SUNK BY JAPANESE BOMB, BATTLE OF CORAL SEA
NAVY CROSS
PURPLE HEART
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL
NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
MEMORY for LTJG Paul Gerald Baker USN
LTJG Paul Gerald Baker USN enlisted in the Navy on December 12, 1929. Commencing in 1935 he served in the Aviation arm for the remainder of his career, having advanced to Chief Aviation Radioman. Baker was serving in Fighter Squadron 2 (VF-2), embarked USS Lexington CV-2 when he was temporarily appointed to LTJG, April 14, 1942. On May 7, 1942, as a fighter pilot, he failed to return during the Battle of Coral Sea.
During that May 7 day, he had shot down three Japanese planes and damaged a fourth.
LTJG Baker was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
The USS Paul G. Baker DE-642 is named for him.
Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret.