Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
|
|
Current Service Status
USA Veteran
|
Current/Last Rank
Chief Warrant Officer 2
|
Current/Last Service Branch
Warrant Officer (pre-2004)
|
Current/Last Primary MOS
100B-Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
|
Current/Last MOS Group
Aviation
|
Primary Unit
1971-1974, 152C, 28th Infantry Division
|
Previously Held MOS
152G-AH-1 Attack Pilot
100E-Attack Helicopter Pilot
152C-OH-6 Pilot
|
Service Years
1967 - 1971
|
Other Languages
German
|
Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Order of the Spur
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1968-1968, B Company, 1st Aviation Battalion
|
|
1968-1969, 100B, HHC, 1st Infantry Division (Forward)
|
|
1968-1969, A Company, 1st Aviation Battalion
|
|
1969-1969, 100B, HHC, 1st Infantry Division (Forward)
|
|
1969-1969, 100B, A Company, 1st Aviation Battalion
|
|
1969-1970, 100B, D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
|
|
1969-1971, 152G, 4th Armored Division
|
|
1970-1970, 100B, 7th Army Training Command (Cadre), 7th Army Combined Arms Training Center (Staff)
|
|
1970-1971, 100E, D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
|
|
1971-1974, 152C, 28th Infantry Division
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1975, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 5642 (National President) (Montrose, Pennsylvania)
- Chap. Page
|
|
1980, American Legion, Post 154 (Member) (Montrose , Pennsylvania)
- Chap. Page
|
|
2003, Veterans of the Vietnam War
- Assoc. Page
|
|
2004, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 654 (Recorder) (Dupont, Pennsylvania)
- Chap. Page
|
|
2011, US Army Warrant Officers Association
- Assoc. Page
|
|
2012, American Veterans (AMVETS), Post 187 (Member) (Towanda, Pennsylvania)
- Chap. Page
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections on CW2 Baker's
US Army Service
|
|
|
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
Draft Board (Actually, I volunteered for the draft).
|
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Army aviation, satisfying a strong desire to fly helicopters.
|
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes, however, most notable was to be selected as the Aircraft Commander in charge of the air security for the President of the United States. Richard M. Nixon who visited Vietnam on July 30, 1969 and met with commanders and troops at the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division based at Di An.
|
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Skiing on the Zugzspitze at Garmisch with all my fellow officers and Commander Maj. Robert Stack while stationed with D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 4th Armored Division.
|
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The DFC was received for action resulting in saving the lives of three critically wounded soldiers.
|
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
BG General George Patton. He was a new aviator stationed in Furth, Germany and requested me as his Aircraft Commander to sign off on his proficiency. I flew with him for a period of almost 4 weeks, attended balls and dining-in functions. He was a very interesting gentleman.
|
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
BRIGADIER GENERAL WOLF: I should mention that when I was younger, these stories usually began with the phrase, "This is no shit!" Ok guys, I've been called nuts before. Usually it was said collectively like: "You chopper pilots are all crazy." Sometimes it was directed at me with good cause. There are a couple of basic flaws that I have and they got me into trouble a lot in my younger days. I never seemed to be able to hold my tongue when someone was about to do what I thought was stupid (or any other time for that matter), and abusive drunks (assholes) deserved a fist to the face. The unfortunate part of the latter was that rank didn't matter. On one occasion it was my Battalion Commander. The incident I am about to tell you about was the former with a smoke bringing, mean (by reputation), son-of-a-gun named Brigadier General Wolff.
I was flying Command and Control (C&C) with the 2nd Brigade CO. On board the chopper were the CO, the Ops Major, Artillery Captain and the RTO. We were just southeast of Lai Khe and one of the 2nd Brigade, Company size units (I think) was ambushed. These were not the brightest VC because they didn't wait for the troops to get too close. Anyway, the troops were pinned, more or less, at the bottom of a small grade at the line of some trees. Charlie was at the top of a knoll in the bushes. An open area of no-man's land (of sorts) about the length of about 150 meters was between them. The CO wanted to go down and talk to the guy in command on the ground. We had already been in the air quite a while and time to refuel would be a little tight. I told the CO that he would have about 30 minutes max.
I suppose this is where I should tell you about the twenty-minute fuel warning light. This is an amazing piece of technology put into the console of the aircraft to warn the pilot when his fuel was at a dangerously low level. I had briefed the CO about its purpose and told him that if I ever had it on, I would be asking for directions from him, as the situation would be critical. He assured me that he understood. Its true purpose was to tell you that sometime in the next twenty minutes you were about to run out of fuel. Kind of like the lottery - pick a number from 1 to 20!
The only place I could land was in that no-mans area between the two, so I instructed them that di di mau (Vietnamese for hurry) was a maneuver they had best practice when we landed. As soon as they were safe I left to bore circles in the sky. After an immense period of time (to me anyway), the twenty-minute fuel light came on. The conversation went as follows: Dagger 22 (second Brigade CO) this is 22 Mike (me), I am low on fuel please advise. Dagger 22 Mike this is Dagger 22... Break, break, break, this is Danger 78 (BG Wolff) what is going on down there? Danger 78 this is Dagger 22 Mike, please hold Dagger 22 this is 22 Mike say again you were cut out. Dagger 22 Mike... Break, break, break, this is Danger 78; I want to know what is going on down there. Danger 78 please shut fuck up! Dagger 22, this is 22 Mike, say again. 22 Mike come in and get us. Roger
I landed again and Charlie opened up with a vengeance. They were to my left so I was looking right out the door window and it was NOT pretty. The CO and his group were coming from my right rear and confusion was high. As soon as I got the thumbs up I was pulling in the power. Unfortunately, the Artillery captain was not completely in and the gunner had to fight like the devil to get him up in the bird. He had a real death grip on the skid, as I'm sure I probably would have had under similar circumstances. On the way to Lai Khe for fuel, the RTO showed me his PRC 25 radio. He was using it as a shield when he hit the ground while running to the chopper. Two hits right in the battery. My aircraft took none. Go figure.
When we came in for fuel and I brought it to a hover, the engine quit. My first pilot put fuel in while Gardner (crew chief) and I started pulling an Intermediate Inspection. The CO came around the chopper and asked what we were doing. I told him that we were pulling an intermediate inspection. The CO didn't like to be delayed for any reason and asked if that wasn't done as a scheduled maintenance item. I told him yes, but any time the fuel system is cavitated, it must be performed. He then asked if that was why our landing was different. I told him that it was.
Shortly afterward we left for Di An and arrived without incident. Everyone, in the crew, on a C&C aircraft spent their first 15 minutes of downtime waxing the aircraft. In case you're wondering, it was J-wax. While in the process, Danger 78's aircraft came in for a landing. There was a parade ground between the landing pad and 2nd Brigade Headquarters. Whenever anyone flew in, a jeep driver would come around to pick up the passengers. He barely got the motor started and General Wolff was already across the road cutting across the parade field. I figured that my wings and rank were gone and told my crew to continue without me. I was going in to face the music.
I went into the Brigade office, which was quite spacious and sat down on the couch at the opposite wall from the Sergeant Major's desk. After about twenty minutes, the Sergeant Major came out of the CO's office and told me the CO wanted to see me. I knocked and entered when called. General Wolff was directly in front of me. I saluted gave a right face and reported to the CO. He told me that the General wanted to speak to me. I gave a left face and reported. He said, "Mr. Baker, do you know what you said to me up there today?" I replied that I did. He then said, "Knowing who I am, do you think you would say it again?" I replied, "General, when I said it the first time I already knew it was you, and given the same circumstances, I would say the exact same thing again." To which he stated, "I like that, and am putting you in for a Bronze Star with 'V' device."
As a footnote, I never got the Bronze Star and neither did I care. However, I did learn the meaning of what my father said when he told me that if you do something outlandish you will either be court-martialed or given a medal. I was happy just to be allowed to fly. ©Copyright July 17, 2005 by Fred B. Baker, II
|
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I was in diapers for 25 years, as an employee for Procter & Gamble. Pampers diaper manufacturing, R&D, packaging and warehousing. Retired in 1997.
|
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Society of the 1st Infantry Division, VFW (National Aide de Camp 1979), American Legion (District Commander 7/2015 - 7/2017), Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of the Vietnam War, United States Army Warrant Officers Association. I am active in helping vets get to their appointments and helping to secure their benefits. We also have a Veterans Center for aged veterans which, along with my American Legion, I visit often. I enjoy my community service.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The military provided a sense of discipline, responsibility, respect for life and love for my God, family and country. Responsibility toward helping fellow vets has become a career.
|
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Take advantage of opportunities, enjoy and celebrate life, love with all your heart and give thanks to God daily.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Army |
Too new to know yet. **
|
|