Commemorative Ribbon, 'American Theater Service'
Catalog Number
1996.63.37
Description
Three ribbons on a metal bar with a tie tac; WWII Victory Ribbon, Occupation of Japan Ribbon, China Service Ribbon. Red ribbon at left with rainbow stripes is World War II victory medal. Black, red and white ribbon in center is World War II occupation medal and the yellow one at right is China Service medal.
History
The medals, badges and ribbons in donation 1996.63 belonged to either Alma Plakke Baker or her husband Harry Baker.
Alma H. Plakke (1911-1997) was born in Holland, MI on 11-18-1911 to Cornelius Plakke (1886-1988) and Lena Brandt(1887-1989). They lived in Holland at 229 Howard Ave.
Alma enlisted in the US Navy on Nov. 7, 1942. She attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman School in Massachusetts in 1943. In 1949 Alma was assigned the position of secretariat of aviation personnel division in Washington, DC. In 1952 she was assigned the position of assistant to the military personnel officer at the Jacksonville, FL Naval Air Tech. Training Center.
Alma married Harry Baker (1912-1984) on 10-14-1954 in Japan. Sometime in the 1960s, Alma moved home to Holland, MI, where both her and Harry resided the remainder of their lives.
Alma served in the US Navy from 1942-1964. Harry served in the US Navy from 1929-1956. Both served in WW2 and the Korean War. Both were buried in the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Kalamazoo County, MI.
Gift of
Baker, Alma