In a special ceremony at the Pentagon on May 13, 2022, Supreme Council conferred The Daniel D. Tompkins Medal on Brother Vince Baker for outstanding and exemplary service to his country and the Masonic Fraternity at large.
The Tompkins Medal is a unique Supreme Council recognition that honors distinguished contributions not often witnessed by the general membership. Recipients include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32°, D-Day hero Leonard “Bud” Lomell, 32°, and Vietnam hero Sammy Lee Davis, 33°. Brother Baker is the 26th recipient to receive this prestigious honor.
The award was presented by Supreme Council Grand Lieutenant Commander Mark Roth, 33°; Grand Treasurer General and Deputy of Michigan Walter F. Wheeler, 33°; Active Member for Michigan Jacob E. Hayrynen, Jr. 33°; Travis T. Freeman, 33°, Director of Communications in Michigan, WB William F. Baker, PM McMillan #400 along with Vice Admiral of the Navy Ricky L. Williamson.
The medal is named in honor of Daniel D. Tompkins, first Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Brother Tompkins also served the nation as vice president, under President James Monroe.
Captain Baker has a distinguished military career and currently serves as Executive Assistant to Vice Admiral Ricky Williamson at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Prior to that, he served as Station Norfolk’s 49th Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.
In 2008, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf with his crew in command of the USS Dextrous (MCM-13). He then completed a joint tour as Policy Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Affairs.
In 2011, Captain Baker assumed command of USS De Wert (FFG-45) and deployed to the Indian Ocean as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, capturing 11 pirates and freeing the Italian-owned cargo ship Montecristo and her crew of 24 off the coast of Somalia.
Captain Baker’s additional recognitions include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards).
Captain Baker is a member of McMillan Lodge #400 in Newberry, Michigan. Congratulations Brother Baker!
