Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
 Texas | |
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Year of Birth 1918 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Baker, Royal Newman, Lt Gen USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Corsicana, Texas |
Last Address Georgetown, Texas
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Date of Passing May 01, 1976 |
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Location of Interment Pecan Grove - McKinney, Texas |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Space 4, Lot 5, Block 132 |
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Last Known Activity His two-war (WWII and Korea) record was a total of 16.5 destroyed in the air, 2 probables, and 3 damaged. He also flew combat missions in VietNam.
His DSC citation:
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel Royal N. Baker, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 14 February 1953. While leading a flight of F-86 aircraft near Imsan-dong, North Korea, Colonel Baker sighted four MIG-15s launching an attack on a flight of friendly aircraft who were apparently unaware of the impending attack. Colonel Baker, with outstanding valor and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, immediately initiated a fearless, aggressive attack on the enemy aircraft. He singled out one MIG, which was making a firing pass, as the focal point of his action. Realizing that the allied pilots under attack were in grave danger, Colonel Baker commenced firing at maximum range, boring unswervingly toward the target, until solid hits were scored in the tailpipe section, causing the MIG to smoke heavily and decelerate. Colonel Baker continued his undivided vigilance of the enemy craft until it went into a spin and crashed into the ground. Although low on fuel deep in enemy territory, Colonel Baker remained in the battle area until all friendly aircraft were safe from any immediate threat. Colonel Baker's cool, assured performance under fire, his unhesitating and selfless action in deflecting the enemy and saving the life of a pilot and his singleness of purpose in exposing himself fearlessly to enemy fire in order to protect those threatened is indicative of the highest degree of courage and gallantry.
General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces: General Orders No. 169 (April 3, 1953)
Action Date: 14-Feb-53
Service: Air Force
Rank: Colonel
Company: 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Regiment: 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
Division: 5th Air Force
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Other Comments: Sources:
USAF bio
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=711
http://www.cieldegloire.com/014_baker_r_n.php
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=30536487
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=7180
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/308th_Fighter_Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/493d_Fighter_Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Operations_Group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Operations_Group
http://fabulousrocketeers.com/FR_4th_History.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2d_Fighter_Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52d_Fighter_Wing
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_031.php
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1941-1942, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School
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1942-1942, Aviation Cadet Primary-Basic Observer Course
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1942-1943, AAF MOS 1055, 308th Fighter Squadron - Emerald Knights
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1942-1943, 31st Fighter Group
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1943-1944, AAF MOS 1055, 493rd Fighter Squadron - Grim Reapers
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1943-1944, AAF MOS 1055, 48th Fighter Group
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1944-1945, AAF MOS 1055, USAAF Training Command
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1945-1947, Air Force Reserve Command
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1947-1949, AAF MOS 1055, 2nd Fighter Squadron - American Beagle Squadron
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1947-1949, AAF MOS 1055, 52nd Fighter Group
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1949-1950, Air Command and Staff College (Student)
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1950-1952, 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Group
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1952-1953, AAF MOS 1055, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group
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1953-1957, Air Defense Command (ADC)
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1957-1960, Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC)
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1960-1961, National War College
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1961-1963, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing
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1963-1964, 3rd Air Force
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1964-1966, Joint Staff
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1966-1968, 2, 12th Air Force
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1968-1968, 2, Military Assistance Command-Vietnam (MACV)
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1968-1969, 7th Air Force
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1969-1971, 17th Air Force
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1971-1972, United States Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE/USAFE)
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1973-1975, Air Defense Command (ADC)
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