John C. Baker

John C. Baker
Baker as a brigadier general in 1966
Born	(1919-04-15)April 15, 1919 Troy, New York, US
Died	January 20, 1996(1996-01-20) (aged 76) Clifton Park, New York, US
Buried	Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York, US
Service	Army National Guard (1935–1940, 1947–1975) United States Army (1940–1946) United States Army Reserve (1946–1947)
Years of service	1935–1975
Rank	Major General
Service number	0368365[1]
Unit	New York Army National Guard
Commands	Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 105th Infantry Regiment 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment 105th Infantry Regiment Combat Command A, 27th Armored Division 27th Armored Division Artillery Emergency Operations Headquarters, New York National Guard 42nd Infantry Division New York National Guard
Wars	World War II
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Bronze Star Medal Combat Infantryman Badge
Alma mater	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (attended) United States Army Command and General Staff College
Spouse(s)	Marjorie Sarah Allison ​ ​ (m. 1941⁠–⁠1996)​ [2][3]
Children	5[2][3]
Other work	Deputy Director, Rennselaer County Office of Disaster Preparedness

John C. Baker (April 15, 1919 – January 20, 1996) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War II and a longtime member of the New York Army National Guard, he advanced from private to major general. Baker served as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division and Adjutant General of New York. His awards included the Silver Star, two awards of the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

A native of Troy, New York, Baker was raised and educated in Troy, the state of Georgia, and the state of Florida, and was a graduate of Troy's Lansingburgh High School. He joined the National Guard in 1935, when he was 15, and he received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1938. He was mobilized for federal service for World War II, and served in the Pacific theater with the 105th Infantry Regiment. Baker also pursued a civilian career with the federal government, and was a longtime district director for the General Services Administration.

After his wartime service, Baker rejoined the National Guard, and he advanced through command and staff positions, including command of: 105th Infantry Regiment; Combat Command A, 27th Armored Division; 27th Armored Division Artillery; and the New York National Guard's Emergency Operations Headquarters. In 1971, he was appointed Adjutant General of New York, and in 1973 he was assigned to command the 42nd Infantry Division. He served in both these roles until retiring from the military in 1975.

After retiring from the National Guard, Baker worked as deputy director of the Rennselaer County Office of Disaster Preparedness. In retirement, he resided in Clifton Park, New York. He died in Clifton Park on January 20, 1996. Baker was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.