Baker, James H.

James H. Baker

March 14, 1947 – March 19, 2019

James H. Baker, age 72, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, March 19, 2019 with his sister Mary Ann by his side.
There will be no public calling hours. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Phillips Memorial Home, Massena.
Jim was born in Massena on March 14, 1947, the son of Clarence Baker Sr. and Jeanette Almond.

James attended Harrogate and Jefferson Elementary Schools and graduated in 1965 from MCHS. Even though Jim never played any school sports, he was well known for his school spirit and started the first high school pep club and served as its president, until his graduation.

In March 1966 James joined the USMC, later graduating from Parris Island, PLT 394. After ITA at camp Lejeune NC, he went on for further training as a radio operator in San Diego, CA and then to DLI WCX to learn Vietnamese. James was assigned to HD at 13th man in Okinawa, Japan. He went to fight communism in Vietnam and later played a role in the Battle of Khe Sanh which began on January 21, 1968, when forces from the People’s Army of North Vietnam (PAVN) carried out a massive artillery bombardment on the U.S. Marine garrison at Khe Sanh, located in South Vietnam near the border with Laos. For the next 77 days, U.S. Marines and their South Vietnamese allies fought off an intense siege of the garrison, one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.
As a result of his heroic services, James earned the following awards, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal.
James then served as a USMC security guard in the countries of Romania and Denmark. In November 1972 James was honorably discharged. James traveled to Texas where he managed properties in both Crocket and El Paso, TX. James was employed at the Grand Canyon and worked himself to become manager of the Bright Angel Lodge, on the rim of the Canyon. James later returned to Massena and worked at Spanky’s Diner for several years, before leaving as kitchen manager. James left and moved to Rome, NY where he continued to work in the food industry. Returning to his hometown of Massena to care for his mother.
While in Massena James became a huge supporter of making people aware of PTSD. While James was treated for PTSD, he knew you learned to live with PTSD, and that it plays a large part of a person’s life.
James was a member of the Massena VFW, American Legion, Marine Corp League, AmVets, and life member of the DAV and Khe Sanh Vets.
Surviving Jim are four sisters, Mary Ann Marashian of Massena, NY; Marie Almond of Midland, TX; Bonnie Crites of Massena, NY; Patty Stafford of Benton, AR and a brother Micky Baker of Canton, NY along with several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by both is parents, and two brothers Clarence Baker “CB” and Richard Baker.