Volume 15 , Issue 13

WWI Native American Soldier, Sgt. George Baker (1893-1918)

Thanks goes out to Sarah and the Baker family for the information concerning The Indian Leader. We wish them the best in their application for the "Purple heart" for their relative, Sgt. George Baker.

The Indian Leader, dated 10 May 1918, in Lawrence, Kansas, and found online at Google Books, The Indian Leader, mentions Sgt. George Baker, a Native American Indian (Euchee). Sergeant George Baker was the great-grandfather of Sarah Kristine Baker.

Sarah contacted this NW Okie on Facebook a few days ago with information of her great-grandfather and said, "I noticed an article on your website seeking WW1 KIA's from Oklahoma and would like to pass on the information about my Great-Grandfather Sergeant George Baker.

"George Baker was a full-blooded Euchee Indian from Kellyville, Oklahoma. He reported to Camp Travis in August of 1917. There is an article in the book titled "The Indian Leader" that was dated May 10, 1918. In this article, it speaks highly of the Native Americans at Camp Travis, noting the high numbers of NCO's within the 358th Infantry (where my Great-Grandfather was attached). Also, the 358th Infantry received the most Native Americans. At the end of the article, it mentions my Great-Grandfather again: Sergeant George Baker, Euchee, is a valued member of the Camp Travis baseball team. His unit assignment (Army) was: 358th Infantry, 90th Division, CO L.

"My great-grandfather was KIA (Killed In Action) at the Battle of St. Mihiel in France on 12 Sept. 1918. He was buried there on the battlefield. Later, the U.S. Government contacted my great-great-grandma, Sallie Baker (his mom) to ask what she wanted the Government to do with his body. She wanted him brought back to our "Baker Family Cemetery" in Kellyville, Oklahoma. My uncle received his Burial Case Files from National Archives a few years ago. These files included his autopsy report, how he actually died, the condition of his body, etc. He is currently buried at the Baker Family Cemetery in Kellyville, Oklahoma (about 8-miles southwest of Sapulpa, Oklahoma on U. S. Route 66).

"As this moment, the DOD along with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (we are Euchee and Creek Indian, all enrolled with the Creek Nation) are working on getting my Great-Grandfather awarded with the Purple Heart. Also, my family's cemetery, the Baker Family Cemetery, is on the list to officially become Protected Historical Site due to the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act.

[grave marker reads: "Sergt. George Baker, Aug 6, 1893-Sept 16, 1918, CO L 358 Infantry, killed in action in France.]

"I am attaching a picture of his grave marker, the article on him in the book and our family cemetery. Thank you for reading this, please all or message if you have any further questions.
Air Battle of st. Mihiel
First World War - Battle of St. Mihiel
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