Supreme Council Confers Tompkins Medal on Brother Vince BakerThe Northern Light Fall 2022

by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager

In a special ceremony at the U.S. 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.

Recipients of the Tompkins Medal include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 33˚; 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; William F. Baker, PM of McMillan Lodge #400; and Ricky L. Williamson, Vice Admiral of the Navy.

The medal is named in honor of Daniel D. Tompkins, first Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction from 1813 to 1825. Brother Tompkins also served the nation as vice president under President James Monroe.

Brother Baker has a distinguished military career and currently serves 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.

Brother Baker’s additional recognitions include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).

Brother Baker is a member of McMillan Lodge in Newberry, Michigan.