Name/Title
Oral History of Charles Nathan BakerEntry/Object ID
2019.012.001Scope and Content
Baker states that after attending the University of Oregon for 3 years on a football scholarship, he was drafted into the military during World War II, where he received the rank of second lieutenant. After graduating from the Aviation Cadet Program, he was assigned to Norwich, England. There, he completed 35 bombing missions to Germany as leader of his flying squad. In 1957, he sold his company and moved to Los Altos. He was a charter member of the San Carlos Rotary Club, and he continues to attend weekly chapter meetings. Though he and his wife had no children, he describes his close relationship to other family members such as his niece and nephew. Baker concludes his interview by revealing his current exciting activities, which include skydiving and aerobatic flying, as well as his commitment to attending the yearly reunions of his Air Force squad.
He recounts some of his experiences during this time, including some close calls he had during air battles. After his tour was over, he contemplated a transfer to be a fighter pilot, but instead returned to the US to marry his wife, Donnabeth. Upon returning to the States, he spent time at a military hospital in Spokane, WA to recuperate from wartime. He then moved to San Angelo, TX to teach cadet flying to new recruits. After his retirement he became a commercial pilot for United Airlines, which he did until about 1949, when he decided to capitalize on his life-long love of woodworking and start his own kitchen cabinet company to go into business with his father’s construction company. After he retired from military service in Fort Worth, TX, Baker was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross medal for his exceptional service during WWII.Collection
Oral History CollectionOral History Details
Interviewee
Charles BakerInterviewer
Eric GreenhutInterview Date
Jun 25, 2019