Richard W. Baker – Seaman, United States Coast Guard News Correspondent

From a contemporary press report

Richard W. Baker, 70, a World War II veteran and journalist, died February 15, 1996 of hepatitis at Fairfax Hospital, Virginia.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Baker served in the Coast Guard during World War II as a radio operator on an amphibious tank landing ship that participated in the US assault on Okinawa and was the first US vessel to enter Tokyo Bay at the conclusion of the war. For 20 years, he worked as a reporter and editor for various news organizations, including the Associated Press and the Boston Globe. He was an on-scene correspondent for NBC's “Today Show” from 1963 to 1964.

He also served as executive assistant to Reprsentative F. Bradford Morse of Massachusetts. In 1969, Mr. Baker joined the Veterans Administration, where he held numerous positions for 26 years. At the time of his retirement, he was director of administrative service at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. He was awarded the Distinguished Career Award in 1995.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Jean Colburn of Arlington; two sons and daughters-in- law, Scott and Ann Baker of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and Doug and Debbie Baker of Centreville; a daughter, Janine Fitzpatrick of Mitchellville; and two grandchildren, Douglas Mason Jr and Matthew Colburn, both of Centreville. A viewing will be held today from 7-9 pm at the Arlington Funeral Home, 3091 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery February 26, 1996 at 3 pm.

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