Jacob Baker
Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Poughkeepsie, NY
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: Sergeant
Sergeant Jacob Baker attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on a full Army ROTC Scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Army in March 2019. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. In 2020, he deployed to Afghanistan. He re-enlisted as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician.
Jacob fell in love with the military at 12 when he joined Civil Air Patrol, rising to the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant and served as the Color Guard Commander. Jacob was an artist, a scholar, an athlete, and a patriot. Jacob was the 2018 USATF New York Junior Olympic gold medal winner for pole vault and a NCAA Division II pole vaulter for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Jacob lived life to the fullest. He was courageous, adventurous, full of energy, fun, generous, and selfless. He was a coach, a mentor, and an inspiration. He was magnetic and a natural-born leader. He was willing to try anything and was naturally good at everything. He was dedicated to becoming the best at everything he did and lived by the motto “Raise the bar.”
Age: 23
Date of Death: July 21, 2023