The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Daniel Wirt Baker (NSN: 0-278225), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber, during an attack on a strongly defended enemy harbor in the vicinity of Formosa, 12 October 1944. For more than fifty miles he flew to the target under conditions of zero visibility. Despite damage to his plane over the target he hit a medium-sized enemy merchant ship with his bomb load. The ship was later observed to have sunk. Enemy anti-aircraft fire was so intense that two planes failed to return and eight other planes received battle damage. His aggressiveness, courage and skill were outstanding and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Daniel Wirt Baker (NSN: 0-278225), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, 26 October 1944. As pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber, he continued his dive through heavy cloud cover to attack an enemy battleship despite his tail hit and damaged by the anti-aircraft fire from the enemy fleet. Although on combat mission for almost six hours, he landed safely aboard the carrier base. The engagement contributed materially to the annihilation of an enemy Task Force and removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippines. His determination, skill, and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.