Navy Federal Credit Union

Douglas Baker became a World War II Navy TRIPLE ACE, credited with shooting down 16.33 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Action Date:

    December 14, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20). On 14 December 1944, while leading his team in the Philippine Islands area, he sighted a group of enemy airplanes, and through a most intense concentration of enemy antiaircraft fire and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, dove on and quickly shot down four enemy airplanes. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft, on strikes against enemy installations and aircraft in the Philippine Islands. On 15 October 1944, he attacked superior numbers of enemy aircraft without regard for his personal safety and shot down two. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Action Date:

    October 18, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy as pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane, on strikes against enemy installations and aircraft in the Philippine Islands. On 18 October 1944, he courageously attacked superior enemy forces and shot down three aircraft. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Action Date:

    September 15 – October 12, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a U.S. Navy fighter plane in aerial combat against the enemy in the South Pacific Area during the period from 15 September to 12 October 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Baker completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944

    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 00116 (December 23, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Ensign Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flight in a carrier-based fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and assigned to a sweep in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. In spite of the superior number of enemy fighters, he attacked with such aggressiveness and maneuvered his airplane so skillfully, that he shot down four enemy airplanes. His courage and skill in these actions were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Action Date:

    October 27 & November 11, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Baker (NSN: 0-300883), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands area. On 27 October he strafed an enemy destroyer and on 11 November he made a direct bomb hit on an enemy destroyer and damaged two others by strafing under similar heavy anti-aircraft fire. This accomplishment was performed with complete disregard for his own personal safety. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.