Guide to the Eugene C. Baker photographs
undated, 1942-1943
Collection number: HMC-1350.
Creator: Baker, Eugene C.
Title: Eugene C. Baker photographs.
Dates: undated, 1942-1943.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Photographs taken or collected by a radar operator stationed on Adak during WWII.
Biographical note:
Eugene C. Baker was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa in 1917 and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1941, he was drafted into the Army and was part of the original landing operation on Adak by the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He served as a radar operator on Adak until November 1944 when he went home to Omaha on furlough. While on furlough, he married Betty Berry. Baker was discharged from the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant on October 3, 1945. After the war, he worked for a wholesale plumbing supply company in Nebraska while raising three children, before retiring to a farm near his birthplace of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Eugene C. Baker died October 31, 1996.
Collection description:
The collection consists of photographic prints taken or collected by Eugene C. Baker while stationed in Alaska during World War II. The majority of the photographs were taken on Adak in the Aleutian Islands, however there are some photographs taken at Fort Lawson in Washington State. Subjects of the photographs include: soldiers, scenery, living quarters, military bases and camps, street scenes in Seward and Anchorage, supply ships, and construction.
Arrangement: The first folder of the collection contains photographs taken at Fort Lawson, Washington. Photographs in the remaining folders were taken in Alaska and are in no discernible order.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives and Special Collections owns copyright to materials created by Eugene C. Baker. Materials not created by Baker may be subject to copyright not held by the Archives.
Preferred citation: Eugene C. Baker, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Biographical information about Eugene C. Baker was provided by the donor.
Related materials: For other collections related to World War II in Alaska, please see our World War II in Alaska topic guide.
Acquisition note: The collection was presented to the Archives by Baker’s wife Betty Baker and son, Douglas Baker in 2020. A deed of gift was signed by Douglas Baker.
Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2020.