HONORED ON PANEL 17W, LINE 93 OF THE WALL
DENNIS RALPH BAKER
WALL NAME
DENNIS R BAKER
PANEL / LINE
17W/93
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR DENNIS RALPH BAKER
POSTED ON 12.26.2023
POSTED BY: Tim Tetz
The following is a recap of a fun filled, noisy, and heartwarming evening with six family members from three generations of the Baker family. Greg Carabetta, son of 2nd child Beverly Baker Brown; Bill Baker, son of Ron Baker; Ron, the oldest child; Gary Baker, the 4th child; Gina Baker Hogue, daughter of Gary; Aiden Hogue, son of Gina. All were sitting around Ron Baker’s dining room table, reminiscing about their brother, uncle, or great uncle, Dennis Ralph Baker.
On October 1, 1950, Ralph and Erma Baker brought into this world their third son and fifth child, Dennis Ralph Baker. The Baker family lived in a neighborhood full of large families with many children, and the Baker clan was never at a loss for friends or any activities. The five Baker children, from oldest to youngest are Ron, Beverly, Judy, Gary and Dennis.
Ron said a favorite neighborhood gathering place was a pond fed by spring water that eventually dropped down into the Connoquenessing Creek. “It was a great place for kids to hang out, be on their own, and have fun.”
He continued, “we would all carve our name on the rocks with a hammer and small star chisel. It took all summer to get it done. Kids names are still there from WWII times. There were a lot of deep holes, so you have to be careful. We called it ‘bare ass beach’ as many times the guys would swim naked. There were vines hanging all over the creek and we would swing like Tarzan into the water.”
Ron also remembered there were victory gardens down by the pond during WWII.
Greg talked about going to the pond to catch tadpoles and swinging from the vines. “One time,” he added, “Denny’s vine broke, he fell and broke his arm.”
Bill remembered how often his uncles would fish at the pond and creek.
Their dad was a gunsmith. “We grew up with guns all our life as dad had guns throughout the house. We never had problems, no one ever broke in. Dad had one room with guns on all four walls. We brought people home, they were not allowed to touch then, but we could show them.”
Gary was Dennis’s closet sibling in age. He explained that “Dennis fancied himself a “quick draw.” “He had a real cowboy gun and would practice his quick draw. One time in his early teens his cowboy gun was loaded, and he ended up shooting himself in the calf. The bullet was lodged in a difficult spot, so the doctors just left it in his leg.”
The photo shows Denny (l) and Gary (r) with their dog Buster in the living room, November 1958.
Gary also talked about how much the family loved to hunt, especial for deer and small game, such as rabbits. “Dennis had a bow and arrow and one time while shooting the bow he accidently shot me in the ear. Mom came out screaming you bunch of idiots and then took me to the hospital.”
Denny, as all of us, liked to ride his bike.
Just like the pond, the neighborhood kids all hung out at the Ellport Roller Skating Rink. A social gathering point, as well as a place for Denny to show off his top skating skills for all the girls. Gary pointed out that Dennis was so good he could do the limbo on skates which is quite a feat of balance and strength. Ron claimed that the only way that he could stop himself was by using the walls!
Friday and Saturday nights featured Wrestling and the Chiller Theater with Chilly Billy Cardille at the Baker home. Colleen, whose dad is Ron, and Greg were about 6 or 7 when their Uncle Denny was still at home. “Grandma would go to bed early and Uncle Denny would allow the two of us to stay up and watch both shows with him.” Family members said Denny always talked about becoming a wrestler! Greg added that the Chiller Theater used to scare the crap out of us!
Denny did not like school and never graduated from high school. He quit when he turned 18 and enlisted. He was determined to join the service, even though he was turned down at least twice here in Pennsylvania, due to medical conditions. Undeterred, he drove across the state line to Ohio where he was accepted into the Marines.
Denny had a special love for children as he wrote back and forth often with his niece Colleen. “Denny would write to me once a month and I tried to write at least that. I answered every one of his letters” said Colleen with a smile in her voice.
Colleen was a six-year-old when she was corresponding with her Uncle Denny. “He always asked how I was doing. He often talked about how bad it was in Vietnam for the people, especially the children, and how lucky we are here in the states compared to the people over in Nam. He couldn’t wait to return home.”
Please see the end of this story for the text from three letters from Denny to Colleen.
“Many times, the letters also included a gift for me. Such as a Marine Watch and the Saigon High Heels. One time for my birthday I received a Vietnamese Kimono, such a beautiful silk robe.”
Ralph Baker, Denny’s father passed away on August 15, 1969, and Denny was able to come home for the funeral.
Greg explained how much Denny cared for children. “When cleaning up after the funeral, they were carrying pizza boxes out to the garbage and all Denny talked about was that if this was Nam that once we left the boxes in the garbage the children would be scavenging thru the boxes looking for any scraps of food they could find.”
Denny continued, “Gary said that Denny didn’t want to go back to Nam.” Gary replied that “you only have a short time left”. Denny once again said “I just don’t want to go back.”
Gary pointed out that although both his dad and Denny died within a month of each other “at least I got both up to my camp one last time before they both passed.”
Denny was only back in the country for about 2-3 weeks when he was killed. It was an operation with the Koreans at Barrier Island, about 21 miles from Danang. Denny’s unit was there in support. He was a heavy equipment repairman working on dozers to keep them running.
They were shelled and, despite Denny being inside his bunker, he died from the concussion. There were nine men from his unit with this operation; three of them died and the other six were wounded.
Colleen is the keeper of Dennis’s medals. Purple Heart, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Service, National Defense and the middle is the Marine Insignia.
The day the family members received the news of Denny’s death:
Ron was living down the street from his parents. The oldest brother was working in a store called Henton’s Market. “I looked out and saw this car go by. I didn’t know the people inside stopped to ask for my mom’s address. When I got home, the men were already inside talking with the family and mom was crying. I knew right away what happened as the men were military.”
“They had a military service for Denny over in Nam before bringing him home. It took a week or so before his body came home. They wanted a closed casket and mom wanted it open. They put bubble over and just showed his face. The concussion killed him as there was not a mark on him.”
Gary, the brother closest in age to Denny. “I was working that afternoon at B&W (Babcock and Wilcox Steel Mill) and I was told to go home immediately, it was an emergency. They didn’t tell me anything else. It was a four-mile drive home. As soon as I got there, I saw Ronnie’s car and the Military car. I saw the two Marines talking with my mom and knew what happened. I didn’t want to get out of my car.”
Per Greg. “We were in Texas Fort Hood. My dad Tom was stationed there in the army. Mom said something and made a funny noise. I looked out the window and saw an officer and chaplain walking up to the door. In the military when you see that you know what has happened. They came in and told us.”
Grandpap was in the military. When he died a month earlier, they called dad in the office and told dad grandpap had died. Dad came home and told us. The military followed up with a visit as well.
The family shared a framed artifact in Gary’s home. A story in the Ellwood City Paper written by Eric Poole; a photo of Denny’s name on the wall and the Memorial in American Legion Park.
Collen also has his flag presented by the military to the family upon his death.
Dennis Ralph Baker is honored at the American Legion Memorial Park located on 4th street in Ellwood City.
The Baker family lost their Denny over 52 years ago. While he is no longer with them on this earth, the family has kept him alive with the love in their hearts, and through their reminiscing of him in their large family gatherings.
Collen has continued her letter writing to veterans and belongs to a group called Soldier Angels. She explained, we send boxes of food, crafts and cards or letters.
The following three letters were mailed to Colleen while Dennis was in Vietnam. The letters and envelopes are photocopies of the originals, followed by the narrative of the letters.
A two-page letter dated April 12 is first.
Apr. 12
Dear Colleen,
Hi. I’m fine and well. I work a lot and get pretty dirty but I’m in no danger. Tonight’s Saturday so it’s Friday at home. I’m clear on the other side of the world and it’s a lot different. The children here work in the fields when they are your age. I don’t eat rice but the Vietnamese eat it and raw fish. It’s their main diet. An apple over here is worth $5.00. Ha Ha! See you didn’t think it was worth that.
How is everyone? Tell mom and dad I said Hi!! How are you doing in school? May I have a picture of you? Please! Are you being good? I know you are. Enclosed are 2 pictures. 1 of me when I was on C.R.I.P. and 1 of what I guarded. I hope you like them. Enclosed also is a surrender pamphlet. Can you read this!?! Ask Miss Boyd. Ha Ha! It’ll blow her mind. The money I use is called M.P.C. We can’t use regular money over here. I don’t worry because there’s no place to spend it. Ha Ha!
Well, I miss you.
Write Back
Love You
Uncle Denny
PS – Be good!
The second letter was not dated and is two pages long.
Dear Colleen,
Hi! I’m sorry I haven’t written but I have been a little busy. I’m fine and will be home soon. By the time you get this I’ll be working, and you should be out of school. The weather here is as nice as it is at home. It gets up to 120o and when it rains it doesn’t cool off.
It rained last night and today and tonight and the water is above your ankle everywhere. Ha! You have to watch where you walk cause if you hit a soft spot you can sink in mud. I sank to my hips today and had to get someone to drag me out. Ha Ha Ha! I was hurt. I just got cut a little and had to get bandages on my chest, arms, legs, and behind.
I got thrown from a big tractor going fast. I’m OK now but sore. Ha! The tractor tires are a good foot over as high as I can reach so you can imagine how big it is. I’m perfectly OK now so don’t worry, OK? I work fixing dinner for about 2000 guys now and as well P.I., cans, pots, pans, and bag trays. Ha!
I won’t be going out of the compound for a while and to tell the truth I’m impatient. I’d rather be out there than stay here and have bass and trump bother me. Ha Ha!! Man, once you get used to being in the field it’s not bad. I’ll be OK so don’t worry.
Love always
Dennis
The next letter dated October 12 is very short.
Oct. 12th
Dear Colleen,
I’m sorry I couldn’t be home for your birthday, but I will be soon. I hope you like this gift and if I could I’d give it to you myself. Tell mommy and daddy and Bill and Bob I said hi! And I’m fine.
Your Loving Uncle
Denny
While Dennis did not have a girlfriend or wife waiting for him home back in the states, he did have a young woman, Lorna Prestopine Benner, who states in an October 15, 1994, letter she wrote to Gary that “I always had a crush on him. They say that unrequited love is painful. They should try unrequited puppy love!!”
Lorna also purchased three books and donated them to the Ellwood City Public Library in memory of Lance Cpl. Dennis R. Baker.
On October 1, 1950, Ralph and Erma Baker brought into this world their third son and fifth child, Dennis Ralph Baker. The Baker family lived in a neighborhood full of large families with many children, and the Baker clan was never at a loss for friends or any activities. The five Baker children, from oldest to youngest are Ron, Beverly, Judy, Gary and Dennis.
Ron said a favorite neighborhood gathering place was a pond fed by spring water that eventually dropped down into the Connoquenessing Creek. “It was a great place for kids to hang out, be on their own, and have fun.”
He continued, “we would all carve our name on the rocks with a hammer and small star chisel. It took all summer to get it done. Kids names are still there from WWII times. There were a lot of deep holes, so you have to be careful. We called it ‘bare ass beach’ as many times the guys would swim naked. There were vines hanging all over the creek and we would swing like Tarzan into the water.”
Ron also remembered there were victory gardens down by the pond during WWII.
Greg talked about going to the pond to catch tadpoles and swinging from the vines. “One time,” he added, “Denny’s vine broke, he fell and broke his arm.”
Bill remembered how often his uncles would fish at the pond and creek.
Their dad was a gunsmith. “We grew up with guns all our life as dad had guns throughout the house. We never had problems, no one ever broke in. Dad had one room with guns on all four walls. We brought people home, they were not allowed to touch then, but we could show them.”
Gary was Dennis’s closet sibling in age. He explained that “Dennis fancied himself a “quick draw.” “He had a real cowboy gun and would practice his quick draw. One time in his early teens his cowboy gun was loaded, and he ended up shooting himself in the calf. The bullet was lodged in a difficult spot, so the doctors just left it in his leg.”
The photo shows Denny (l) and Gary (r) with their dog Buster in the living room, November 1958.
Gary also talked about how much the family loved to hunt, especial for deer and small game, such as rabbits. “Dennis had a bow and arrow and one time while shooting the bow he accidently shot me in the ear. Mom came out screaming you bunch of idiots and then took me to the hospital.”
Denny, as all of us, liked to ride his bike.
Just like the pond, the neighborhood kids all hung out at the Ellport Roller Skating Rink. A social gathering point, as well as a place for Denny to show off his top skating skills for all the girls. Gary pointed out that Dennis was so good he could do the limbo on skates which is quite a feat of balance and strength. Ron claimed that the only way that he could stop himself was by using the walls!
Friday and Saturday nights featured Wrestling and the Chiller Theater with Chilly Billy Cardille at the Baker home. Colleen, whose dad is Ron, and Greg were about 6 or 7 when their Uncle Denny was still at home. “Grandma would go to bed early and Uncle Denny would allow the two of us to stay up and watch both shows with him.” Family members said Denny always talked about becoming a wrestler! Greg added that the Chiller Theater used to scare the crap out of us!
Denny did not like school and never graduated from high school. He quit when he turned 18 and enlisted. He was determined to join the service, even though he was turned down at least twice here in Pennsylvania, due to medical conditions. Undeterred, he drove across the state line to Ohio where he was accepted into the Marines.
Denny had a special love for children as he wrote back and forth often with his niece Colleen. “Denny would write to me once a month and I tried to write at least that. I answered every one of his letters” said Colleen with a smile in her voice.
Colleen was a six-year-old when she was corresponding with her Uncle Denny. “He always asked how I was doing. He often talked about how bad it was in Vietnam for the people, especially the children, and how lucky we are here in the states compared to the people over in Nam. He couldn’t wait to return home.”
Please see the end of this story for the text from three letters from Denny to Colleen.
“Many times, the letters also included a gift for me. Such as a Marine Watch and the Saigon High Heels. One time for my birthday I received a Vietnamese Kimono, such a beautiful silk robe.”
Ralph Baker, Denny’s father passed away on August 15, 1969, and Denny was able to come home for the funeral.
Greg explained how much Denny cared for children. “When cleaning up after the funeral, they were carrying pizza boxes out to the garbage and all Denny talked about was that if this was Nam that once we left the boxes in the garbage the children would be scavenging thru the boxes looking for any scraps of food they could find.”
Denny continued, “Gary said that Denny didn’t want to go back to Nam.” Gary replied that “you only have a short time left”. Denny once again said “I just don’t want to go back.”
Gary pointed out that although both his dad and Denny died within a month of each other “at least I got both up to my camp one last time before they both passed.”
Denny was only back in the country for about 2-3 weeks when he was killed. It was an operation with the Koreans at Barrier Island, about 21 miles from Danang. Denny’s unit was there in support. He was a heavy equipment repairman working on dozers to keep them running.
They were shelled and, despite Denny being inside his bunker, he died from the concussion. There were nine men from his unit with this operation; three of them died and the other six were wounded.
Colleen is the keeper of Dennis’s medals. Purple Heart, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Service, National Defense and the middle is the Marine Insignia.
The day the family members received the news of Denny’s death:
Ron was living down the street from his parents. The oldest brother was working in a store called Henton’s Market. “I looked out and saw this car go by. I didn’t know the people inside stopped to ask for my mom’s address. When I got home, the men were already inside talking with the family and mom was crying. I knew right away what happened as the men were military.”
“They had a military service for Denny over in Nam before bringing him home. It took a week or so before his body came home. They wanted a closed casket and mom wanted it open. They put bubble over and just showed his face. The concussion killed him as there was not a mark on him.”
Gary, the brother closest in age to Denny. “I was working that afternoon at B&W (Babcock and Wilcox Steel Mill) and I was told to go home immediately, it was an emergency. They didn’t tell me anything else. It was a four-mile drive home. As soon as I got there, I saw Ronnie’s car and the Military car. I saw the two Marines talking with my mom and knew what happened. I didn’t want to get out of my car.”
Per Greg. “We were in Texas Fort Hood. My dad Tom was stationed there in the army. Mom said something and made a funny noise. I looked out the window and saw an officer and chaplain walking up to the door. In the military when you see that you know what has happened. They came in and told us.”
Grandpap was in the military. When he died a month earlier, they called dad in the office and told dad grandpap had died. Dad came home and told us. The military followed up with a visit as well.
The family shared a framed artifact in Gary’s home. A story in the Ellwood City Paper written by Eric Poole; a photo of Denny’s name on the wall and the Memorial in American Legion Park.
Collen also has his flag presented by the military to the family upon his death.
Dennis Ralph Baker is honored at the American Legion Memorial Park located on 4th street in Ellwood City.
The Baker family lost their Denny over 52 years ago. While he is no longer with them on this earth, the family has kept him alive with the love in their hearts, and through their reminiscing of him in their large family gatherings.
Collen has continued her letter writing to veterans and belongs to a group called Soldier Angels. She explained, we send boxes of food, crafts and cards or letters.
The following three letters were mailed to Colleen while Dennis was in Vietnam. The letters and envelopes are photocopies of the originals, followed by the narrative of the letters.
A two-page letter dated April 12 is first.
Apr. 12
Dear Colleen,
Hi. I’m fine and well. I work a lot and get pretty dirty but I’m in no danger. Tonight’s Saturday so it’s Friday at home. I’m clear on the other side of the world and it’s a lot different. The children here work in the fields when they are your age. I don’t eat rice but the Vietnamese eat it and raw fish. It’s their main diet. An apple over here is worth $5.00. Ha Ha! See you didn’t think it was worth that.
How is everyone? Tell mom and dad I said Hi!! How are you doing in school? May I have a picture of you? Please! Are you being good? I know you are. Enclosed are 2 pictures. 1 of me when I was on C.R.I.P. and 1 of what I guarded. I hope you like them. Enclosed also is a surrender pamphlet. Can you read this!?! Ask Miss Boyd. Ha Ha! It’ll blow her mind. The money I use is called M.P.C. We can’t use regular money over here. I don’t worry because there’s no place to spend it. Ha Ha!
Well, I miss you.
Write Back
Love You
Uncle Denny
PS – Be good!
The second letter was not dated and is two pages long.
Dear Colleen,
Hi! I’m sorry I haven’t written but I have been a little busy. I’m fine and will be home soon. By the time you get this I’ll be working, and you should be out of school. The weather here is as nice as it is at home. It gets up to 120o and when it rains it doesn’t cool off.
It rained last night and today and tonight and the water is above your ankle everywhere. Ha! You have to watch where you walk cause if you hit a soft spot you can sink in mud. I sank to my hips today and had to get someone to drag me out. Ha Ha Ha! I was hurt. I just got cut a little and had to get bandages on my chest, arms, legs, and behind.
I got thrown from a big tractor going fast. I’m OK now but sore. Ha! The tractor tires are a good foot over as high as I can reach so you can imagine how big it is. I’m perfectly OK now so don’t worry, OK? I work fixing dinner for about 2000 guys now and as well P.I., cans, pots, pans, and bag trays. Ha!
I won’t be going out of the compound for a while and to tell the truth I’m impatient. I’d rather be out there than stay here and have bass and trump bother me. Ha Ha!! Man, once you get used to being in the field it’s not bad. I’ll be OK so don’t worry.
Love always
Dennis
The next letter dated October 12 is very short.
Oct. 12th
Dear Colleen,
I’m sorry I couldn’t be home for your birthday, but I will be soon. I hope you like this gift and if I could I’d give it to you myself. Tell mommy and daddy and Bill and Bob I said hi! And I’m fine.
Your Loving Uncle
Denny
While Dennis did not have a girlfriend or wife waiting for him home back in the states, he did have a young woman, Lorna Prestopine Benner, who states in an October 15, 1994, letter she wrote to Gary that “I always had a crush on him. They say that unrequited love is painful. They should try unrequited puppy love!!”
Lorna also purchased three books and donated them to the Ellwood City Public Library in memory of Lance Cpl. Dennis R. Baker.
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POSTED ON 9.23.2021
POSTED BY: John Fabris
We Will Remember
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
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POSTED ON 9.28.2020
POSTED BY: ANON
Never forgotten
On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Semper Fi, Marine.
Semper Fi, Marine.
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POSTED ON 10.25.2016
POSTED BY: Lucy Conte Micik
Remembered
DEAR LANCE CORPORAL BAKER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ENGINEER EQUIPMENT MECHANIC. SEMPER FI. IT IS TERRIBLE THAT YOU WERE BORN AND DIED IN THE SAME MONTH. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ENGINEER EQUIPMENT MECHANIC. SEMPER FI. IT IS TERRIBLE THAT YOU WERE BORN AND DIED IN THE SAME MONTH. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.
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