Feb. 17 Draft Board Minutes
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On motion, the following registrants were transferred from Class 2-A to Tent. 1-A, subject to examination:
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Marion Baker, Sioux Center
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Source: Sioux Center News March 4, 1943 p 3
Among the Sioux Center boys that are leaving for the army on Thursday are Davey Vander Berg, Conrad Veencamp, Donald Den Herder and Marion Baker. James J. B. Vander Berg who also went for his examination last Wednesday failed to pass.
Source: Sioux Center News May 27, 1943 p 9
Pvt. Marion Baker is at this location: 87480369, Btry. B., 791st A.A.A. (A.W.) Bn., Camp Stewart, Ga.
(also on the same page, a letter from a fellow serviceman from Sioux Center also serving there with some of the details of life there)
Letter from Pvt. J. C. Veencamp
Btry. B, 791st AAA A-W Btn.
Camp Stewart, Georgia
June 6th, 1943
Dear Editor and friends:
To start out I'll say this, some of you people think it gets hot in Iowa, well, you should come to Georgia. By 8:00 A.M. it's 80 to 90 degrees and it goes up to 120, you start sweating about 8:00 A.M. and you sweat all day and half the night, by 12:00 midnight you fall asleep, then they call you at 6:30 A.M.
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Georgia's mostly hills, trees, swamps and small jungles, the soil is dark reddish-brown; corn fields cover 1 or 2 acres, 3 feet in height at the present time. Yesterday we marched two hours in the hot sun, imagine, my uniform was just wet with sweat, it was only 108 degrees. There's absolutely no shade, the trees range from 75 to 100 feet with a few needles on the top.
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Sincerely yours, Connie.
P.S. There are 5 fellows from Sioux County out here, one from Hull, one from Boyden, two from Alton, and Marion Baker and myself from Sioux Center.
Source: Sioux Center News June 10, 1943 p 10
Pvt. Marion J. Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker, writes a brief letter:
Dear Ed:-- I suppose I should have written before, but I never gave it a thought until I read my brother's letter in the paper. I sure do enjoy the Sioux Center News. I never really thought I would appreciate it as much as I do. There are six Sioux County boys here. PFC Conrad Veencamp, Cpl. Norman Eason of Alton, PFC Evert Ruerues of Boyden, Pvt. Allen Sipma of Hull, Robert Pleuger of Alton and myself. We've spent 11 weeks of training here at Camp Stewart, Georgia together and I think we all enjoy the anti-aircraft. Well, Ed, I think that is all. So Long. Just another soldier, Marion J. Baker, Btry. B. 791st AAA A.W. Bn., Camp Stewart, Georgia. I am looking forward to the next issue of the News.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 26, 1943 p 8
BAKER BROTHERS SERVING U.S.
(Photos of Pvt. Marion Baker and Rd. M. 3-c Henry Baker)
Pvt. Marion Baker
Pvt. Marion Baker arrived at the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker on Friday afternoon to spend a 13-day furlough with them. He is stationed at Camp Stewart, Ga., in the anti-aircraft division. He has been in service five months.
Rd. M. 3-c Henry Baker
Henry Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker, enlisted in the Navy last November. He received his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill. Later he went to Virginia Beach and on December 29th left for active duty on board ship. He has been on sea duty since July. Last March he had a ten day furlough.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 21, 1943 p 1
Pvt. Marion Baker In Sioux City Army Hospital
Pvt. Marion Baker, who came home on furlough from Camp Stewart, Ga. last week, became very seriously ill late Thursday evening and was taken to the Army Airbase hospital at Sioux City on Friday. The illness which at first was thought to be spinal meningitis turned out to be pneumonia and he is reported to be recovering nicely at the present time. His address at the hospital is Pvt. Marion Baker, Ward D, Station Hospital, Sioux City, Iowa.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 28, 1943 p 1
Wilma De Groot, Bernice Kroon, Arone Kroon and Wilbur Vos Spent Saturday at Sioux City and also called on Pvt. Marion Baker at the army air base hospital.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 4, 1943 p 5
Pvt. Marion Baker came home Tuesday after spending about ten days at the Army Air Base Hospital in Sioux City, recovering from a siege of pneumonia. Marinus Mouw drove down to get him. Marion has been granted a seven day convalescent furlough, and so will remain home until Sunday night.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 4, 1943 p 10
Back In Hospital
Pvt. Marion Baker, who came home from the army air base hospital at Sioux City last Tuesday afternoon, became ill again shortly after his return home and was taken to the Sioux City hospital again on Thursday afternoon where he is under observation as to the cause of his illness. He is down in bed most of the time, but called his parents by telephone Sunday afternoon and said that he had been allowed to be up for a short time.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 11, 1943 p 1
Wilma De Groot spent Wednesday of this week visiting Marion Baker at the Sioux City Air Base Hospital.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 18, 1943 p 4
A family gathering was held in honor of Marion Baker on Thanksgiving Day. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. M. Schilt of Doon, Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit De Jong and son Robert of Sioux Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Sherman and family of Alvord, Mr and Mrs. Gilbert De Boer of Rolfe, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. M. Schilt Jr. and Children of Oak Lawn, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Pete W. Mouw and family, Mr. and Mrs. Marinus Mouw and family, Bernice Kroon and Wilma De Groot. Marion left the following day for Camp Stewart, Ga. where he has been stationed.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943 p 8
Pvt. Marion Baker returned to Camp Stewart, Ga. on Friday evening after spending six weeks here, 28 days of which were spent in the army air base hospital at Sioux City, while ill with severe headaches.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943 p 3
New Address--Pvt. Marion J. Baker 37480369, Battry. B, 791st A.A.A. A-W Bn., 1st Army Air Force, Camp Pickett, Virginia.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 23, 1943 p 11
Pvt. Marion Baker arrived at the parental Jake Baker home on Sunday to spend an 11 day furlough. He is stationed at Camp Pickett, Va.
Source: Sioux Center News May 11, 1944 p 2
Mr. and Mrs. Henry De Groot and daughter Wilma and Mrs. Jake Baker took Pvt. Marion Baker to Sioux City on Tuesday from where he left to return to Camp Pickett, Va. after having enjoyed an 11 day furlough at home.
Source: Sioux Center News May 18, 1944 p 8
The latest address of Pvt. Marion Baker is: 37480369
Btry. B. 392nd A.A.A. A/W Bn.
Blackstone Army Air Field
Camp Pickett, Va.
Source: Sioux Center News June 29, 1944 p 10
New Address:
Pvt. Marion J. Baker 37480369
Btry. B. 392 AAA A/W Bn.
Fort Fisher, North Carolina
Source: Sioux Center News July 20, 1944 p 2
Pvt. Marion Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker, writes from Fort Fisher, North Carolina:
Dear Ed: It has been quite some time ago since I've written the News a letter. Since I have the time today, I'm going to take this opportunity to write you. I suppose you have noticed by my address that I have been transferred. Well, I suppose most of the folks know what the reason for that was. Well in case they don't I will try to explain it. As you remember last October when I received my first furlough I spent quite some time at the Station hospital at Sioux City, Iowa. Well ever since that I was left with a bad back and due to the fact that my old outfit was being sent overseas, they transferred me out, because they figured I wouldn't be able to stand overseas duty. So I ended up with this outfit. We are still in advanced training, but it is the same kind of work as I have done before I was transferred. We are at present stationed at Fort Fisher. Our barracks are about 1 1/2 to 2 blocks from the ocean side. We are doing quite a bit of firing now. Well I believe that is about all the news I have so I will close. A Soldier Friend, Pvt. Marion Baker, Btry. B. 392, AAA A/W Bn., Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 10, 1944 p 2
Henry Baker, who is in the navy and who spent the past 20 days at the parental Jake Baker home, left again on Thursday morning from LeMars to report to Key West, Florida from where he will receive further orders.
His brother Pvt. Marion Baker who was also home on furlough for 11 days left Friday morning to go back to Camp Davis, North Carolina and from there he expects to be sent to Camp McCall also in North Carolina.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 5, 1944 p 2
Pvt. Marion Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker of Sioux Center, who was recently home on furlough writes from his new location, Camp Haan, Calif.
Oct. 15, 1944
Dear News:- Well, I had quite a trip in the last month. It is just a month ago today that I started out on my furlough from Camp Davis, North Carolina and spent 11 days at home. Then when I came back to report into Camp Davis again I found out that my outfit had moved out. They had moved while I was home on leave. When I came to Camp Davis they sent me up here to Camp Haan, Calif. I travelled way across the states and about half of the way back again. So I got to see plenty of country. I rode five days to get from Camp Davis, North Carolina to Camp Haan, Calif. The weather out here is a lot more agreeable than it was in North Carolina or Virginia, either one. It is lovely here in the day time and at night in turns nice and cool so you can sleep real well. Our training is still about the same. Please send my Sioux Center News to this address.
Pvt. Marion J. Baker 37480369
Btry. B. 392, AAA A/W Bn.
Camp Haan, Calif.
A Soldier Friend, Marion Baker
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 26, 1944 p 10
Marion Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker of Sioux Center has moved from Camp Haan, Calif. to San Francisco, Calif. and now has an outgoing address. His complete address is:
Marion Baker
Btry. B. 392 AAA A/W Bn.
APO 17716, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 9, 1944 p 2
NEWS OF OUR MEN and WOMEN IN UNIFORM
Sioux Center:
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker received word that their son, Marion Baker, is now in the Pacific area. He was sent across a few weeks ago.
Source: Sioux County Capital, November 30, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker received a letter the past week telling them that their sons Henry and Marion had recently met in Hawaii and had a very pleasant visit together.
Source: Sioux County Capital Jan. 4, 1945 p 5
Pvt. Marion Baker has a new address on file at the News office.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 15, 1945 p 1
Pvt. Marion Baker Writes From the Marianas:
March 23, 1945
Dear Friends: It has been quite some time ago since I wrote you so I'll try and write a few lines again. I've been getting my News pretty regular and it surely does feel good to get your home town paper. Even if you do get letters there is always something that is of interest. I've been moved again as you may have noticed. It sure is warm out here and most of us have quite a sun tan. There's not a whole lot to write and tell about now, and you can't quite figure it out. But we out here really are fortunate, that we didn't have to go through what those boys did in Europe. It may be warm here but it is better than that snow and cold anyway. Well, I don't really have any news. So I'll close. But I do want to say "Hello" to all of my Sioux Center friends, and fellow servicemen whatever part of the world that they may be in. May the day soon arrive that we can again see each other face to face. Just a soldier, Mike Baker.
Source: Sioux Center News April 5, 1945 p 2
New Address
T/5 Marion Baker
Hq. 865 A.A.A. (A/W) Bn.
APO 244 c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 15, 1945 p 2
Marion Baker has been promoted to T/4.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 22, 1945 p 6
DISCHARGED
(photo included)
T/SGT. MARION BAKER
T/Sgt. Marion Baker arrived home on Tuesday and has been discharged from the service after 33 months of army life, 17 of which were spent in overseas service. He received his official discharge at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Monday forenoon. Marion has no definite plans as to what he will be doing but will first be getting himself a well-earned rest.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 28, 1946 p 10
