John Baker, District #5, is Choctaw Nation’s February Veteran of the Month.
Baker was born in McCurtain, Okla., and raised in the Stigler area. He graduated from Stigler High School in 1963 and was then employed in Ft. Smith, Ark., where he built air conditioning and refrigeration units.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 14, 1966, and was inducted in Oklahoma City the next day, with the understanding that he would likely be drafted soon. He completed his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey, to Company A-249 Engineer Battalion.
Sgt. Baker was assigned to the Gersvewski Barracks in Karlsrhue, Germany, as a member of MOS 76P40, working in association with supply and service operations, logistics, and inventory management, where duties included repair and maintenance of vehicles, including tanks and other military equipment. He was promoted to Sgt. E-5 and placed in charge of parts inventory. He traveled extensively throughout the region, including the Black Forrest, numerous neighboring countries, and historic castles. A camera documenting his travels and his bicycles were stolen, but he ultimately purchased an automobile to ensure transportation.
Baker’s favorite duty station was in Germany, where he enjoyed the climate, the people, and the natural beauty of the country. While there, he attended the 7th Army NCO Academy for a month, where he received training in how to train and discipline people. Much of the class time was in Flint Kaserne, Bad Tolz, Bavaria, Germany, the location where Hitler’s SS forces were trained.
After a year and 11 months, Baker returned to Fort Hood, Texas, SD Armor Division (Old Iron Side) for discharge. After honorably serving his country, he returned to McCurtain briefly before moving to Tulsa. He worked for Republic Van Lines for four years, traveling throughout the East Coast, packing up, and delivering households. He then worked as a carpenter for 14 years, building and remodeling homes and other buildings. For the next 25 years, he worked for Baker (Hughes) Oil Tool Company, based in California, where he began in maintenance and inventory control. Later, he built and inspected underground safety valves for oil wells, mainly overseas.
Baker currently lives in the Tulsa area, where he enjoys playing pool at the Broken Arrow Senior Center, an outstanding facility serving many fellow Choctaw retirees. He values the quality time spent with his special friend, Beverly Stevens, his children Shelia, Chris, Shelly, and Carl, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He wishes to express his sincere appreciation to Jennifer Turner, District 5 Councilperson, and the Choctaw Nation for honoring his military service.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma holds our Veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates their sacrifices and contributions to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we hold dear.