Colonel Claude W. Baker was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, 12 August 1942, class number 48. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 94th Infantry Division, Camp Phillips, Kansas. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Company Commander, 49th Armd Inf Bde, European Command; Company Commander, 5th Inf Regiment, USARPAC; Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, 1st Bn, 5th Inf Regiment, Far East Command; Battalion Commander, 1st Bn, 86th Inf Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas; Battalion Commander, 2d Bn, 8th Inf Regiment, USAREUR; Regiment Executive Officer, 8th Inf Regiment, USAREUR; O & T Staff Officer, Headquarters, V Corps, USAREUR; Plans & Operations Staff Officer, Headquarters, CONARC, Fort Monroe, Virginia; School Battalion Staff Officer, G3, Headquarters, USCONARC, Fort Monroe, Virginia; Director of Instructor, Assistant Commandant Acad Dept, Commandant, U.S. Cold Wea & Mt School, Fort Greely, Alaska; Student Officer, USAIS, Univ of Omaha; Brigade Executive Officer, TSB, USAIS, Fort Benning, Georgia; Deputy Brigade Commander, TSB, USAIS, Fort Benning, Georgia; Deputy Secretary, Chief Data System Officer, USAIS, Fort Benning, Georgia. | Colonel Baker's awards and decorations include: Combat Infantryman’s Badge (Second Award); Presidential Unit Emblem; Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Bronze Star Medal w/two Oak Leaf Clusters; Silver Star.