Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Edward
Baker

As stated in the official transcript of the Court of Inquiry concerning the Squalus, one of the most dramatic dives performed during the Squalus rescue took place on May 25, 1939, when James Baker attached the cable of the “Rescue Bell” to the torpedo hatch of the Squalus. The depth of this dive was 239 feet. No dive past the 200-foot mark had been made before.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    Squalus Salvage Unit

    Division:

    U.S.S. Falcon (ASR-2)

    Action Date:

    1939
    Bureau of Navigation Bulletin 278 (February 10, 1940)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Edward Baker, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a diver during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. SQUALUS on 23 May 1939. Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Baker’s courage and devotion to duty in making repeated dangerous dives during the most difficult diving conditions characterizes conduct far above and beyond the call of duty. (Advanced one grade in rating without examination.)