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Col. Baker was born in Searcy, Arkansas on 22 July 1930, and died on 24 March 1980 while serving as Commanding Officer of the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tolz, Germany. He served in the U. S. Air Force from 28 December 1950 through 28 December 1953. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1954 and from George Washington University in 1968.
On June 15, 1956, Col. Baker was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U. S. Army. During his career, he served in Korea, Republic of Vietnam, Panama, and Germany. His Special Forces career began in Aug 64 when he enrolled in the Special Forces Officer's Course. He graduated in October 64 and was assigned to the 6th SF Group at Fort Bragg, NC. Bo served three tours in Vietnam. He was with the Project Delta (Oct 65 - Oct. 66) serving alongside "Chargin" Charlie Beckwith during the siege at Plei Me, was commanding officer of the Recondo School (Jul 66 - Oct 66), and served a third tour from Jul 68 - Nov 68.
During his Army career he served with the 9th Division, 39th Inf.; 4th Division, 22nd Inf.; 7th Division, HHC; 82nd Airborne, 325th Inf.; Airborne Dept., Fort Benning; 6th Special Forces; 5th Special Forces; JFKCENMA; Joint Operations Training Center Panama; 82nd Airborne, 2/75th Ranger Bn; Tactics Dept., Fort Benning; USAREUR, Liaison to USAFE; and SF Det. Europe. Col. Baker's medals and awards include: Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal (awarded posthumously), CIB, EIB, Master Parachutist, Path Finder, RVN Parachutist, Republic of Germany Parachutist, and Ranger Tab.
Other Comments:
On April 15, 1980, Baker was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Also in 1980, Germany and the U.S. Army renamed the air field at Flint Kaserne, Bad Tolz, Germany as the A.J. "Bo" Baker Army Air Field.
In 1981, the A.J. "Bo" Baker Chapter XXX lOth Special Forces Association was organized in New Orleans.
In 1983, Bo Baker Post 350 of the American Legion was formed in Searcy, AR.
A.J. Baker was a member of First Baptist Church of Searcy, a Mason, Shriner, and a charter member of the Searcy Chapter of the Order of DeMolay.
