Robert Stiles Baker was born on October 2, 1922, in Haw River, Alamance County, North Carolina. His parents were John Mebane Baker (20 Mar 1875 – 7 Nov 1948) and Effie Jane (Hughes) Baker (25 Nov 1889 – 8 Mar 1989). His family called him 'Stiles'. He completed four years of high school, and worked in a semiskilled occupation in the manufacture of knit goods. He married Catherine Louise (Berrier) Baker on November 21, 1942, in High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina. They had a son, Robert Stiles Baker Jr, who was born on August 24, 1943, in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Croft, South Carolina, on January 5, 1943. After completing training as an aerial gunner and armorer, he was assigned to the heavy bomber crew of 1st Lieutenant David L. Ozbolt in the 839th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group (Heavy). The Ozbolt crew completed B-24 combat crew training with the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed with the Group to England in March-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137, near the village of Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
On July 20, 1944, the Ozbolt crew flew B-24H 42-51197 on a practice bombing mission at the Ducks Hall bombing range near Lavenham. S/Sgt Baker and four of his crew mates were killed when their aircraft collided with another 487th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17 43-37840, and crashed near Cavendish, England. Five men aboard the B-17 were killed.
S/Sgt Baker was buried initially at Cambridge American Cemetery near Madingley, England. His remains were returned to the United States and reinterred at Hawfields Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Mebane, North Carolina, in July 1948.
S/Sgt Baker is honored by the naming of American Legion Haw River Post 427 in Haw River, North Carolina. Post 427 is called "Baker-Ray Hut" in honor of Staff Sergeant Robert Stiles Baker and Corporal-Technician Grade 5 (Tec 5) Clyde H. Ray, who were both killed in action during World War II. Both men are also honored on the Alamance County War Memorial Marker in Graham, North Carolina.
B-24H 42-51197 crew:
• Ozbolt, David L – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carter, Delmar J – 2/Lt – Copilot – Safe
• King, Donald C – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Lassandro, James L – 1/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Everett, Lloyd E – S/Sgt – Engineer – Safe (killed in action on August 25, 1944)
• Savoy, John B – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Baker, Robert S – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Sherman, William L – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Milliken, William – Sgt – Passenger – KIA
Source of information: Paul M. Webber, www.findagrave.com