John David Baker

Staff Sergeant John David Baker was killed in action on February 14, 1945 in Manila in the campaign to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese in World War II.  He was 24 years old.

John David Baker was born in Halifax County, North Carolina October 20, 1920 the son of Quinton Baker and Mary E. Baker.  His home residence was in Henderson, North Carolina by 1940.

SSgt Baker was deployed to the Pacific Theater of War in March, 1944 serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment.  The 129th joined the 37th Infantry Division on Bougainville on November 13, 1943. assigned to the 37th Infantry Division ("Buckeye Division") which had landed on Bougainville November 1.   The 129th played a vital role in the Bougainville campaign. They defended the Allied perimeter, expanded it in early 1944, and fought key battles against Japanese forces at places like Hill 700 before being relieved in November 1944.by the Australian 7th Brigade.

Following the Bougainville campaign, the 129th Regiment, 37th Division was deployed to participate in the invasion of the Philippines.  The regiment landed at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon on January 9, 1945 with part of the regiment moving straight inland and the rest moving east along the coast.  On February 8, the 37th Infantry Division crossed the Pasig River at Malacanan Gardens and entered the city of Manila, fighting intense street-to-street battles for strongpoints and facing heavy Japanese resistance in some of the fiercest urban combat of World War II.  The 129th Infantry Regiment began its assaults on the New Police Station on February 12.  The strongpoint consisted of the police station itself, the shoe factory, the Manila Club, Santa Teresita College and San Pablo Church.  By nightfall, the 129th Infantry regiment had consolidated its lines on Marques de Camillas Street fronting the strongpoint.  Maintaining lines--keeping units that advanced faster than others from leaving hazardous gaps in the line--offered many challenges in the highly compartmented urban environment.  The 129th fought the first two days without tank support which had been delayed by the Pasig river crossing.  SSgt Baker was killed in action on February 14, 1945, the day the tanks arrived and three days before the 129th was relieved. 

Staff Sergeant John David Baker is buried in Raleigh National Cemetery in Raleigh, N.C.  

Last edited: 28 April 2026