General John Stuart Baker (24 February 1936 – 9 July 2007) was a senior Australian Army officer. Entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1954, his career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force from 1995 to 1998, the most senior position in the Australian Defence Force. Baker also served as the inaugural Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation from 1990 to 1992,DIO Directors, www.defence.gov.au. (Quoted page no longer contains this information.) Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 1992 to 1995, and was author of the highly influential 1988 "Baker Report".
Career Baker entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1954. On graduation in 1957, he was allotted to the Royal Australian Engineers and later completing a degree in civil engineering at the University of Melbourne.Former ADF chief General Baker dies, The Australian, 9 July 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2007. ACM Angus Houston, CDF eulogy for General John Baker AC, DSM, 13 July 2007, www.defence.gov.au, accessed 31 March 2012.
Baker's first regimental posting was a one-year appointment in Papua New Guinea, and not long after he spent a year in Hawaii as an exchange officer. In 1970–1971 he was attached to the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit during the Vietnam War, where he was Mentioned in Despatches.Mention in Despatches. In 1970–1971 Baker "was project officer in the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit, where he was responsible for construction activities in Phuoc Tuy Province. In recognition of his work on this project, Major Baker was mentioned in dispatches. His citation reads that 'Despite the short planning time, an extended supply system, a mixed workforce and, subsequently, a curtailed completion time, Major Baker—by his technical ability and dedication—brought the project near to successful completion before his departure from Vietnam. Throughout his management of the complex and difficult task, Major Baker displayed devotion to duty, professional skill and leadership qualities of the highest order which reflected great credit upon himself, his Corps and the Australian Army'. Huston, "CDF eulogy", pg.2 He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1971, colonel in 1979, brigadier in 1982, major general in 1987, lieutenant general in 1992 and general in 1995.Supporting Australian Defence, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, November 1998.
The Baker Report In 1987, the then Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Gration, tasked the then Brigadier Baker to:Gration, P.C. "A Study into the ADF Command Arrangements — Terms of Reference", CDF 620/1987, 11 August 1987. One of the principal aims of this study was to determine the optimal command arrangements for ADF air power. The final report, commonly referred to as the Baker Report, was published in March 1988. Despite extensive reference being made to the command and control challenges posed by air power, Baker did not provide definitive guidance on how the ADF should structure its command arrangements to optimise the development and employment of air power. However, Chapter 7 of the report strongly advocated the creation of NORCOM,NORCOM, the ADF's Northern Command, was headquartered in Darwin. a recommendation that was soon adopted by the ADF.Baker, J.S. "A Study into the ADF Command Arrangements", 1988. Also referred to as "The Baker Report".
"The Baker Report" remains the seminal work on command and control in the ADF.
Honours and awards
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) (1995)Companion of the Order of Australia – Baker, John Stuart , 26 January 1995, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006.Citation: In recognition of service to the RAA as Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force. Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) (1990)Officer of the Order of Australia – Baker, John Stuart, 11 June 1990, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006.Citation: In recognition of service to the RAA, particularly as Director Joint Intelligence Organisation. Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (1980)Member of the Order of Australia – Baker, John Stuart, 26 January 1980, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 31 March 2012.Citation: FOR SERVICE AS DIRECTOR OF AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING, HEADQUARTERS LOGISTICS COMMAND. Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) (1998)Distinguished Service Medal – Baker, John Stuart, 3 June 1998, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006. Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 with clasp Vietnam Vietnam Medal with oak leaf for Mention in Despatches Australian Service Medal 1945–1975 with clasp Papua New Guinea Centenary Medal (2001)Centenary Medal – Baker, John Stuart, 1 January 2001, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006.Citation: For service to Australian society as Chief of the Australian Defence Force. Defence Force Service Medal with Federation Star (5 clasps) (40–44 years service) National Medal with clasp (1977)National Medal – Baker, John Stuart , 14 July 1977, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006.National Medal, 1st Clasp – Baker, John Stuart, 17 September 1980, Australian Honours Database (itsanhonour.gov.au), accessed 12 December 2006. Australian Defence Medal Army Commendation Medal (United States) Medals and honours of General John Stuart Baker, AC, DSM, taken 13 July 2007 at his funeral service, accessed 26 August 2008. Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) Commander of the Legion of Honor (Philippines) Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) Distinguished Service Order (Military) (Singapore)
Baker was a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.Former ADF chief General John Baker, Focus, No. 146, September 2007, p.30, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)
Portrait During General Baker's tenure as Chief of Defence Force, the Royal Australian Engineers arranged for his portrait to be painted by leading Australian 20th century artist, Sir William Dargie.Portrait of GEN Baker by Sir William Dargie, 1977, Defence Image Library. The portrait (1997) hangs at the RAE's School of Military Engineering in Sydney, but was also used at General Baker's funeral in Canberra at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 2007.Funeral for Retired Chief of Defence Force General John Stuart Baker, AC, DSM, 13 July 2007, Australian Department of Defence, accessed 31 March 2012.
General John Baker Complex – HQJOC On 7 March 2009 the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, officially opened the "General John Baker Complex",PM opens Joint Operations HQ, 7 March 2009, Australian Department of Defence, 7 March 2009, ABC Online housing the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) from which joint command of the Australian Defence Force is exercised by the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). The complex is some 25 km from the national capital, Canberra, on the Kings Highway about half-way between the towns of Queanbeyan and Bungendore. After Mr Rudd named the complex, Mrs Margaret Baker unveiled a bronze bust of General Baker. The bust was sculpted by Hal Holman.Hal Holman website: Main page ; Cast Metal sculpture ; Biography.
References