POUGHKEEPSIE –Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the County’s Office of Veterans Affairs, under the leadership of Director Adam Roche, remembered the life and legacy of U.S. Army Sergeant Jacob Baker, a former Town of Poughkeepsie resident, at the County’s latest “Honor-A-Veteran” ceremony, held at American Legion Post 1302 in Poughkeepsie on Thursday.
Born in Poughkeepsie on March 31, 2000, Jacob Baker was a gifted athlete, talented artist, natural leader and dedicated soldier who lived a life defined by service, determination and creativity.
A graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappinger, he excelled academically and athletically. He was a scholar-athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, Roy C. Ketcham High School Track and Field Team Captain, and Section 1 champion pole vaulter, ranked 17th in New York State. He was the 2018 USATF New York Junior Olympic gold medal winner for pole vault. He was chosen to attend the National Blue Beret (Civil Air Patrol) and American Legion Boys’ State. He was an NCAA Division II pole vaulter for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
After briefly attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on a full ROTC scholarship, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2019 and proudly served with the 10th Mountain Division, where he designed the logo for the 10th Mountain Company B “Blacksheep”, which was deployed to Afghanistan.
Baker was a graduate of Infantry School (Primary MOS 11B), Air Assault School, Basic Leader Course (Commandant’s List), Combat Life Savers Course, Combatives Level 1, and Phase I Explosive Ordnance Disposal School. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal with “R” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge: Carbine, and the Army Commendation Medal.
Sgt. Baker later trained in Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin (Fla.) Air Force Base before passing away in a motorcycle accident on July 21, 2023. Laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Sgt. Baker is remembered by family and friends for his intelligence, humor, compassion and drive to constantly challenge himself and inspire others.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Sgt. Baker’s life, though cut far too short, touched so many around him in a positive way. Jacob’s Ketcham classmates, his fellow service members; his parents, Vanessa and Mike; siblings Samantha, Weston, Zachary and Emma; and his wife, Mariah, are forever better for having known him. His vibrant, spirited personality will live on in all who met him, and Dutchess County is proud to honor his service to our country through our ‘Honor-A-Veteran’ program.”
Dutchess County invites nominations for its monthly “Honor-A-Veteran” ceremonies, held April through November, to pay tribute to deceased U.S. Armed Forces veterans who served in wartime or peacetime. Community members can submit nominations and required military documentation for consideration through the County’s , with the next ceremony scheduled for June 18. Learn more and download applications at .
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