LIEUTENANT EARL P. BAKER, JR., UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE, (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade). For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as a pilot of a carrier based torpedo bomber in operations against Japanese Naval Shipping in the Inland Sea of Japan at the Kure Naval Base on 24 July 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in an attack on a battleship-carrier, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit and near misses with his bombs which materially contributed to the sinking of this capital ship. His attack was made with courage and skill, without regard for his own safety and was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.