Edward Lee Baker Jr. (December 28, 1865 in
Laramie County, Wyoming – August 26, 1913 in
Los Angeles) was an African-American
United States Army Captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
who received the
Medal of Honor for actions during the
Spanish–American War. While under fire, he rescued a wounded soldier from
drowning.
He is interred in
Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery, which is in
Los Angeles, California.
A notable
African-American Medal of Honor recipient, Baker is also known for being the maternal grandfather of jazz saxophonist and Oscar nominee
Dexter Gordon. He was the father of Gordon's mother, Gwendolyn Baker.
Military career
Baker enlisted as a private in the 9th Cavalry Regiment on 27 July 1882 and was promoted to
trumpeter prior to the expiration of his enlistment on 26 July 1887.
On 25 August 1887 he re-enlisted in the 10th Cavalry Regiment where he held the positions of chief trumpeter and quartermaster sergeant prior to being promoted to the rank of
Sergeant Major which made him the highest ranking enlisted man in the regiment.
He fought with the 10th Cavalry at the
Battle of San Juan Hill in July 1898. He distinguished himself in the battle and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
He was commissioned as a
first lieutenant of the 10 US Volunteer Infantry on 2 August 1898 and was mustered out of service on 8 March 1899.
On 9 September 1899 he was promoted to
captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
of the 49th US Volunteer Infantry, mustering out with the regiment on 30 June 1901. He was re-commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank.
Australia
The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...
with the
Philippine Scouts
The Philippine Scouts (Filipino: ''Maghahanap ng Pilipinas'' or ''Hukbong Maghahanap ng Pilipinas'') was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until after the end of World War II. These troops were generally Filipinos an ...
on 7 February 1902 and was promoted to 1st lieutenant on 10 September 1906. He was promoted to the rank of captain on 12 September 1908. He resigned from the Army after 27 years of service on 31 October 1909. At the time of his retirement he was one of the highest ranking African-American officers in the United States Army.
[Official Army Register, 1909. pg. 392.]
Awards
*
Medal of Honor
*
Indian Campaign Medal
The Indian Campaign Medal is a decoration established by War Department General Orders 12, 1907.
*
Spanish Campaign Medal
*
Philippine Campaign Medal
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization: Sergeant Major, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At
Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898. Birth: Laramie County, Wyoming. Date of Issue: July 3, 1902. Date of Presentation: Unknown
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Edward Lee Baker Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1898, while serving with 10th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Santiago, Cuba. Sergeant Major Baker left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.
See also
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War
*
List of African American Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own l ...
*
Charles Young (United States Army)
Notes
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Edward L. Jr.
Buffalo Soldiers
United States Army officers
American military personnel of the Spanish–American War
Spanish–American War recipients of the Medal of Honor
1865 births
1913 deaths
Burials at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery
People from Laramie County, Wyoming
People from Los Angeles
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
Military personnel from California