Coming into this interview we didn't know what to expect. We were very nervous due to the fact that, though aware of a plethora of information about WWII, we occasionally mix up the events of the different wars. Therefore, we were somewhat afraid to do this project because we would not feel very intelligent asking Mr. Baker questions about the wrong war. Thankfully, our worries were put at ease the instant we conversed. Fredrick Baker was, and still is, a cheerful, heart-warming man who after a few minutes made us feel like close friends.

            Throughout our conversation, we learned an immense amount about what experiencing a war is like. Not only that, we discovered that those who lived through the 1920's and on, survived other hardships such as the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the Vietnam and Korean War. By living during those events, Fred has become knowledgeable about many life lessons that he graciously shared with us. Now, we would like to tell you some of these stories of Mr. Baker's life.

            To being with, Fredrick Joseph Baker was born on December the 18, 1924, in Sudan, deep in the heart of Texas. His father worked for a railroad company, specifically with the telegraph machine and as a station manager. When the depression occurred in the late 1920's and early 30's, numerous railroad personnel were laid off, including his dad. Subsequently, he became a farmer in Vernen, Texas, after being a plumber for a year. In this town near Lovett, Texas, Mr. Baker experienced some interesting events. During 1932, the same year his family moved to Vernen, the Dust Bowl started. "The Dust Bowl is something you have to see and will never forget. You could be standing, talking to someone, and within ten minutes that person, who hadn't moved, looked as if they'd disappeared," said Fred. As a result of the constantly blowing debris, Mr. Baker spent his time scooping sand out of his house. Then, his sophomore year in high school, his family moved to New Mexico where his father helped build a damn, and then to Oklahoma in 1941. Soon after, Fredrick graduated in June of 1941. These were some of the things Mr. Baker experienced during childhood.

At the beginning of World War II, Fred did not join, because he was only sixteen. Therefore, he was on the home front when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. The moment this disastrous event took place, Mr. Baker was at a skating rink with his girlfriend who is now his wife. When he heard what happened he said," It was devastating and our hearts really went out to them." After that, he worked for eighteen months and then went into the Marines. Boot camp was in San Diego, California and," It was a real slap in the face when I first started, if we weren't trained right, we'd lose battles." When training was over, Fred was given a ten-day leave. During this time he married his high school sweetheart on May 21^st, 1943. Then, he was selected to go to the Aviation Ordinance School in Norman, Oklahoma. A short while later, on November 15, he was put on a renovated freighter ship that stopped at several exotic islands including Tahiti, Cook, and the Samoan Islands. At Samoa, Fred and his squad replaced men who were at Midway, and then they went to the Efate Islands. Though they were near battles going on, they couldn’t engage in battle because no one knew what to do. After five months, however, they developed teamwork. They were then ready to do more island hopping from Munda, which they were at for three months to Bouganville and then to Milne Bay where Fredrick was a P.F.C. (Private First Class). Finally, they landed in the Philippines on January 14^th. His duties were to hang bombs on S.B.D.'s, Scalp Bomber Douglas, and to synchronies machine guns. When they arrived, the army had already invaded, and they were heading north. The army needed protection of their left flank and Fred and his troop did just that. Shortly after their arrival, Mr. Baker was sent back to the United States to have his squad reformed. While reforming, the war ended and he was discharged in November of 1945. This was the end of Fred's career in World War II.

Back at home, Fredrick enrolled in Duran College and got a degree in business. He is very proud of this achievement because he is the only member in his family with a college education. After college, Fred missed the Marines so he applied for commission and on January 31, 1947, as a lieutenant, went to Basic School in Virginia and then to Transportation School in North Carolina. Later, he was sent to Korea for six months. Then, he was selected to go back to the Transportation School to be in charge of officer N.C.O. classes. Next, Fred went to Okinawa and the to Camp Penalin to work with the reserves. He also went to the Naval War College in Rhode Island. Mr. Baker said that, " It was the best duty of my life and was very enlightening." Soon after, he went to Vietnam as a senior Marine Officer receiving the Brown Star. Finally, he was in charge of the Transportation Department, over viewing the schools he had attended and working with the Pentagon. On March 1^st, 1970, Fredrick retired.

After his long, successful career in the Marines, Fred moved to Novi, Michigan in April of 1970. For a while he managed trucks in Detroit and also sold parts for trucks. Then, in 1993, he retired. "I have had a wonderful life and family with a son, two daughters, six grandchildren and my wife." When reflecting on the war Fred said that," In training, I developed friendships with them men and all of a sudden they would be gone and I had no idea what happened to them. Many of them died and when people die early in their lives it feels as if they've been cheated." By serving in the Marines, Mr. Baker has learned to appreciate life more. "I've enjoyed life, there's a lot of sorrow at times, but life is worth living. I've learned that a little bit of honey goes a long way so be sweet and nice and you'll be surprised. Always respect people and you'll go a long way in life. Most importantly, when you go to bed at night know that you've done all you could the best you possibly could because that is all that's asked of you." Currently, Mr. Baker is still living a happy life in Novi with his wife.

We were very honored to have the chance to interview such a wonderful, fascinating man. Now, we can truly understand why Mr. Baker and many other great men and women are part of a group known as the greatest generation. They should be commended for their services to our country. As Americans, we would like to thank them for everything they've done for us; we are eternally grateful and proud. Mr. Baker, thank you for sharing your memories and stories with us. Thank you.