Royal N. Baker
Lieutenant General Royal Newman "King" Baker (November 27, 1918 – May 1, 1976) was a United States Air Force (USAF) flying ace during the Korean War.He began his military career as an aviation cadet at Hicks Field, Texas, in June 1941, and graduated from flight training in January 1942 with a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF).Three months later, the group moved to North Africa, where General Baker piloted the British fighter in air operations over Algeria, Tunisia, and Sicily.In October 1950 he was transferred to McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as director of operations and training for the 52nd All-Weather Wing and later was commander of the 52nd Fighter Interceptor Group.During the Korean War, he flew 127 missions and accumulated 199 combat hours in F-86 Sabre jet aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Legion of Merit.