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.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Bombing Squadron 18 (VB-18)Division:
U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)Action Date:
October 12, 1944
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.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Bombing Squadron 18 (VB-18)Division:
U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)Action Date:
October 24, 1944
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0764 (October 14, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Daniel Wirt Baker (NSN: 0-278225), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 24 October 1944. as Pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Baker participated in an attack which contributed materially to the annihilation of an enemy Battle Task Force. He scored a confirmed hit on a rapidly-maneuvering battleship, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. The action, in which he was an integral part, successfully accomplished in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.