Honoring a Legacy of Excellence
Nearly 700 intelligence, defense, and national security professionals gathered on Friday, June 9, for the 38th William Oliver Baker Award dinner at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC. The evening honored the extraordinary legacy of LtGen Vincent R. Stewart, USMC, former Deputy Director, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, Defense Intelligence Agency.
About the Baker Award
The four words on the medal honor the defining aspects of Dr. Baker’s life – Scientist, Inventor, Scholar, and Statesman.
Dr. Baker was a prominent scientist, former head of Bell Labs, a trusted advisor to five U.S. Presidents, a director and advisor to multiple philanthropic foundations and educational commissions, and a mentor to scores of renowned scientists. During his nearly 25 years with Bell Labs, Dr. Baker and his team made significant discoveries in telecommunications including the laser, satellite systems, and the UNIX computer operating systems, among many others, which set the foundation for the robust technologies and platforms we use today.
In 1959, at President Eisenhower’s request, he developed a plan for the establishment of the Defense Communications Agency, presently the Defense Information Systems Agency. Baker continued to serve his country on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB) for multiple presidents beginning in 1956. Dr. Baker also served on the National Security Agency’s Scientific Advisory Board for 20 years. In 1982, Dr. Baker was presented with the National Security Medal by President Ronald Reagan to honor his tremendous contributions.
Dr. William Oliver Baker’s distinguished career is the embodiment of the INSA spirit and mission. By leading the effort to unify the public and private sectors in the name of national security, Dr. Baker effected profound change in national security and intelligence.
INSA established the William Oliver Baker Award Dinner in 1984 to promote excellence in the intelligence and national security activities of the U.S. government and associated endeavors through the private sector. The award annually recognizes outstanding leaders in the field for their exceptional achievements and sustained contributions or single achievements of extraordinary merit. Recent recipients include LtGen Vincent R. Stewart, USMC; Gov. Tom Ridge; The Hon. Sue Gordon; and GEN Keith B. Alexander (USA, Retired).