Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with Russell H Baker__
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Veterans remember Oral History project
Interview # VR2-A-L-2008-010
Russell H. Baker, a Marine veteran of the Pacific theater, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's Veterans Remember Oral History project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: February 19, 2008 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Robert Young, ALPL volunteer
Transcription: Audio Transcription Center, Boston, MA
Edited by: Rozanne Flatt, ALPL Volunteer
Total Pages: 17 pages Total Time: 55 min / .92 hrs
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on April 15, 2008.
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2008 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Russell H. Baker, Veterans Remember, VR2-A-L-2008-010
Biographical Information Overview of Interview: Russell H. Baker was born in Sangamon County, Illinois on July 2, 1925. Russell along with a friend, Ralph Hatcher, decided to join the Marines in May of 1943, and received basic training at the San Diego Marine Base in Platoon 505, 1943. After Basic he was shipped to New Caledonia, arriving on Christmas Eve, 1943. He then went to Guadalcanal for training, where he was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, where he served in the unit’s Intelligence section (S-2), performing a wide variety of duties. Russell subsequently participated in the invasion of Guam in July and August, 1944, assaulting the left flank of Red Beach on d-day, where many causalities were sustained. He was not wounded.
After the war, Russell returned to Sangamon County, married Mary Major on October 1, 1947, and raised his family. He worked a variety of jobs until his retirement.
Topics Covered: 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in WWII; basic training at San Diego Marine Base; (Landing Ship-Tank) LST 118 troop carrier; Invasion of Guam, 1944; observations about combat.
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. "Fair use" criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217-785-7955