In Commemoration Home | Missouri Senate Website Vincent Edward Baker served the people of the 10th District, now the 1st District (part of St. Louis County). Born in Robinson, Illinois, his family moved to Kansas during the Great Depression. He enlisted with the Kansas National Guard 35th Division in 1939, and his unit was mobilized in 1940. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was commissioned in March 1943 and served as a second lieutenant in the 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, D-Day, participating in five major European campaigns until V-E Day. He served as captain in the 379th Reserve Field Artillery Battalion and received several military awards. Upon returning home, he attended college on the GI Bill and graduated from the University of Kansas City (now UMKC), where he received B.A. and LL.B. degrees. He was elected to the Senate during a special election on Oct. 4, 1955, and served for two years. In 1981, he was appointed associate circuit judge by Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond. He retired in 1991 but continued to serve as senior judge until 2004. (Republican)