Baker, Jeffrey Christopher

Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Christopher Baker was a 29-year-old soldier from Hesperia, California. He served as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Baker had previously deployed to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa during his military career.

Baker died on May 14, 2013, in the Zharay district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, he was killed by enemy small arms fire while on patrol. The incident occurred during a period of intense fighting in the region, a key agricultural area and a traditional Taliban stronghold.

Baker's death came during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2013, the conflict was in its twelfth year, with U.S. and coalition forces engaged in counterinsurgency operations and training Afghan National Security Forces ahead of a planned transition.

Baker's death was reported by several news outlets, including the Associated Press and local California papers. He was posthumously promoted from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant First Class. The Department of Defense announced his death on May 16, 2013.

Baker is remembered on memorial walls and by his unit. His name is inscribed on Panel 31W, Line 78 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. As an ordnance disposal specialist, his role involved the high-risk duty of locating and disabling improvised explosive devices.

SFC Jeffrey Baker was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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