Henry (Charles) Baker was born in 1809 in Georgetown, District of Columbia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from New York, New York and served on board USS Metacomet during the Civil War. On 5 August 1864, when USS Tecumseh was sunk by a mine (then called a "torpedo") during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Baker was a member of a Metacomet boat crew sent to assist survivors. He braved the enemy fire and aided in the rescue of ten of Tecumseh's men. In recognition of his "personal valor"on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Henry (Charles) Baker died on 3 August 1891 and is buried at Mount Moriah Cemetary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Note: Though Baker's first name is cited as Henry on the medal and its associated citation, it is given as Charles on his tombstone.
This page features the only image we have concerning Henry (Charles) Baker.
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U.S. Navy Medal of Honor citation of Quarter Gunner Henry Baker, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 14): |
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Page made 14 December 2007