Colonel Marshall E. Baker, USAF (Ret.) died July 31, 2013. Marshall was born February 19, 1920 to Ance and Mary Baker on a farm near Chandlerville, Illinois where he grew up the youngest of seven. A week after the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served with the 8th Bomber Command in England, performing administrative and public relations duties and quickly earning an officer's commission. Following World War II, he wed his longtime sweetheart Muriel Jokisch of Ashland, Illinois who survives him after 67 years of marriage; he is also survived by his three children, David, Michele, and Mark, six grandsons and one great granddaughter. Col Baker's 32 year military career took him to Germany, France, Japan, South Korea (during the USS Pueblo crisis), Iran, the Pentagon, and numerous other duty locations worldwide. During his service he earned graduate degrees from the University of Maryland (1953) and Harvard University (1961). He retired in Alexandria, Virginia after a tour in the office of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird. Among his numerous honors are two Legions of Merit and a Bronze Star. Marshall's insight into history and politics, his sharp but painless comedic flair, and above all, his signature selflessness toward family, country, and anyone fortunate enough to have felt his firm handshake will long continue to inspire greatness. The family will receive friends Friday, August 23, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Hwy., Alexandria VA with funeral Mass beginning at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on September 26, 2013 at 3 p.m. You may sign the guest registry at: www.everlyfuneralhomes.com

Published in The Washington Post on August 20, 2013