Warner Lewis Baylor's Obituary
Warner L. Baylor died June 20, 2014 following a career in the military, journalism and related government service. He had suffered for many years with Alzheimer’s disease. He was the Public Information Officer of the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington DC. He retired in 1976 after 18 years with ICC where he received various meritorious service awards. He was director of the agency’s Federal Credit Union and a former president of the Federal Editors Association and had been press officer with the Defense Department and radio TV newsman with NBC news affiliates.
A 12th generation Virginian, born in Richmond, VA, Sept. 30, 1923, he was a Northern Va. resident for 20 years, retiring in 1976 to Annapolis area, where he was a county election judge. A licensed aircraft and instrument pilot, he flew T-34 aircraft at the aero club of Andrews Air Force Base. He was also a volunteer boating safety instructor with Maryland’s Dept. of Natural Resources. He and his wife Bernadette were active in ice skating functions in the DC, VA, and MD area for many years.
He saw combat in the Atlantic as a merchant marine cadet in early WWII, graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in March 1944, and transferred to the U.S. Navy.
He received the Purple Heart when wounded in the sinking of his ship (USS Susan B. Anthony) taking troops to Omaha Beach in the invasion of Normandy. For action as an engineering officer attempting to save the ship he was awarded a Navy Commendation by Admiral Harold R. Stark, European Naval Commander. At the 50th anniversary D-Day ceremonies at Caen, France, in 1944, he received Normandy’s Jubilee of Liberty Medal for French Liberation.
World War II naval service also included liberation of the Philippines and invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa while serving aboard the USS Cimarron. He was recalled by the Navy in the Korean War and served in Washington, D.C. and the Pacific as a Lieutenant Commander. On June 6, 2005 he was featured in the film “D-Day Troops; Lost at Sea. The story of the sinking of the USS Susan B. Anthony, AP-72,” describing his survivor experience as the Engineering Office on watch in the engine room.
He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, and her children and grandchildren; daughter, from his first marriage, Victoria (Patrick) Daly of Leesburg, VA. His grandchildren, Ted (Caitlin) Raabe and Christina (Phillip) Hohmann; great-grandchildren, Brooke Raabe, Kason and Sydney Hohmann; and sister Helen Rogers of Grant’s Pass, OR and her children and their descendants. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Warner’s step-son, Mark Randolph, for his tender care of Warner. Warner is preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemary; son, Tim (Helen) Baylor; grandson, Timothy Raabe; and sister, Margaret Herbert.
A memorial service and interment of remains with honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made in Warner’s name to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.
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