Edward Lee Baker, Jr.

Captain, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Captain Edward Lee Baker, Jr. (28 December 1865 - 26 August 1913) was an African-American U.S Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War. While under fire, he rescued a wounded soldier from drowning.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, 10th U.S. Cavalry

Place and date: Santiago, Cuba, 1 July 1898

Citation: Left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade 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.

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

Death and Burial

Captain Edward Lee Baker, Jr. died on 26 August 1913. He is interred at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. His grave can be found in Section 3, Lot 130, Grave 2 SE.