Merton Baker

Born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, in 1924, Merton Baker entered the US Army Air Corps in 1943, receiving his pilot wings one year later. As a b-24 co-pilot in Italy, he flew 35 missions and was reassigned to Fairchild Susun Air Base in California flying C-54s in the Pacific Theater. He separated from service and served as a civilian flight instructor in North Carolina before being recalled to active service during the Korean War flying T-33 and B-47 aircraft in Kansas. From 1957 – 1962 Merton was a B-52 acceptance pilot and later an Air Force plant representative for Cessna. During Vietnam, he flew 150 combat missions in the EB-66 receiving the Distinguished Flying cross He retired as Major General in 1981 after commanding the Air Fore Contract Management Division of the Air Force Systems Command in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Major General Baker’s awards during his 7,000 flight hours in 21 different aircraft include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Air Medal with 11 oak clusters, Joint Service commendations, Air Force Commendation with cluster. He passed away on October 17, 2000.