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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.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
January / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.
