Edward Lee Baker, Jr. (b. 28 December 1865, Laramie County, Wyoming–26 August 1913, Los Angeles) was an African-American United States Army Sergeant Major awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Spanish-American War — while under fire, he rescued a wounded soldier from drowning.

He was promoted to the rank of Captain after the war and put in command of the 49th Infantry. He retired in 1902, after 20 years of military service.

Captain Baker is interred in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery Los Angeles, California. His grave can be found in section 3, lot 130, grave 2 SE.

Baker is the maternal grandfather of legendary Jazz saxophonist and Oscar-nominee Dexter Gordon; father to Dexter's mother, Gwendolyn Baker.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization: Sergeant Major, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At Santiago, Cuba, 1 July 1898. Birth: Laramie County, Wyoming. Date of Issue: 3 July 1902.

Citation:

Left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish-American War
• List of African American Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

See also

References

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• Retrieved on 2007-11-27

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