The Making of a U.S. Marine Scholar. Leading and Learning in the Bear Pit

📖 This, the first of three books, takes the reader from Baker's childhood experiences that contributed to his education as a leader, both in the military and in academia. At age sixteen he joined the South Carolina National Guard, where he served as a communicator in a 155 Howitzer Battery, in Sumter, South Carolina. On Christmas Eve, 1949, his mother, in desperate straits, took the life of his alcoholic father. Thereafter, the court finding her "not responsible" for her actions, she was institutionalized. He finished high school at Warren Wilson College, where he met the love of his life, Irene Case, from Charlotte. His Cold War experience ended when his Air National Guard unit was activated for the Korean War, in June of 1950. George Baker transferred to Presbyterian College, in Clinton, SC, where he qualified for the USMC Platoon Leader's Course. Immediately thereupon he married Irene and upon graduation was commissioned a 2nd LT. In 1965, he entered The Basic School, at Quantico, VA and thereafter was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, NC. He was then assigned to the 10th Marines (Regt), as a Forward Observer. Thereafter, he attended Ft Sill for two short artillery proficiency courses, becoming a regular USMC officer, and was assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Rockbridge, out of Norfolk VA. There he served for two years, two tours served in support of NATO forces. His next assignment brought him back to the 10th Marines as a battery commander. In 1965, Baker joined the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii, forward deployed to Okinawa, and landed in Vietnam in the Spring, of 1965. At the end of that combat tour, Baker received orders to a Naval facility in support of the President of the United States, commonly known as Camp David. Book Two, subtitled Hail to the Chief, continues this saga.