| Edward D. Baca | |
|---|---|
LTG Edward Baca, Chief, National Guard Bureau |
|
| Nickname | Dado |
| Born | July 27, 1938 Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1956 – 1998 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
Adjutant General, New Mexico National Guard |
| Battles/wars |
none-short tour in Vietnam i.e. less than normal tour of one (1) year Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal |
Edward D. Baca, LL.D. (born July 23, 1938) was a United States Army general in the New Mexico National Guard. Under Baca's leadership in the 1980s, the NMNG rose to national prominence as a part of the U.S. Army's 'Total Force Policy.'[1] Later, he became the first Hispanic to head the National Guard Bureau. At the time of his retirement in 1998, Baca was the highest ranking Hispanic military officer.
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Edward Baca was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, into a family with a long history both in New Mexico and of military service. His father, Ernesto Baca, was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. Baca's ancestors arrived in Mexico City with the conquistadores in the 16th century and participated in the Oñate expedition that resulted in the founding of the Province of New Mexico. Two of his great grandfathers fought in the Civil War.[2]
One of six children (one girl and five boys), Baca attended St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe, helping to pay the tuition by working on construction crews during the sweltering New Mexico summers. After graduation, Ernesto died unexpectedly, greatly affecting his teenage son with whom he had been very close. Seeking to pull him out of a deep funk, a cousin of the young Baca took him to the local National Guard armory, Battery C, 726th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, and on November 19, 1956 had him sworn in.[2]
After six years as an enlisted man in the Guard, Baca's cousin convinced the young NCO that he could go no further unless he became a commissioned officer. Baca graduated from Officers Candidate School on July 20, 1962 and became a platoon leader in the 3631st Maintenance Company. He soon applied for an overseas, active duty slot and was deployed to Vietnam.
Upon his release from active duty status on February 22, 1966, Baca returned to New Mexico and took command of his old unit, the 3631st.[2]
On January 30, 1977, Baca became the state military personnel officer. Subsequent to this, his duties were expanded to include that of the State Assistant G-1. He was promoted to general officer rank and, on November 29, 1979, appointed the State Command Administrative Officer with the additional assignment of Secretary of the General Staff. Among his responsibilities was to serve as Chief of Staff to the Adjutant General.[3]
Maj. Gen. Baca was appointed by Gov. Toney Anaya as Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard on January 4, 1983. His tenure was marked by a number of significant accomplishments. Baca led the national effort to modernize the National Guard including the deployment of the Army's only Roland Air Defense battalion. He was primarily responsible for the fielding of Chaparral and Hawk missile battalions in the Army Reserve.[3] The prestigious 'drug demand reduction program' initiated by the NMNG to assist local law enforcement agencies was hailed by the National Guard Bureau and used as a pilot for the rest of the nation.[4] Baca was reappointed Adjutant General by the next three governors, occupying his post for nearly 12 years.
On October 1, 1994, Baca was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Chief of the National Guard Bureau by President Bill Clinton. The following year, the Bureau faced a crisis. In 1995, the United States Department of Defense planned to cut the number of National Guard combat divisions by 50% in order to allocate more funding to active duty forces. Baca strongly resisted this attempt, replying to those in the Pentagon who called for a justification of Guard combat units' contribution to national security: "There were a lot of folks who said the same thing before World War II, 'Where's the threat?'"[5] By 1998, his efforts appeared to have paid off when Guardsmen were needed to supplement the US complement for SFOR in Bosnia, an operation which saw the first National Guard combat unit deployed overseas in nearly thirty years. Of this time, Baca was able to boast of the Guards combat capacity: "We've got a reserve of untapped ability before we'd ever feel a pinch."[6]
Baca remained Chief until his retirement on July 31, 1998. He currently heads a leadership training and consulting business in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1998, Baca unsuccessfully attempted to have the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery changed to eliminate perceived cultural biases in order to increase the levels of minorities in the military. This position came under fire from a number of groups.[7]
Baca is married to Rita Hennigan of Muenster, Texas, Texas. The couple have seven children, four of whom have served in the military (two sons served in the New Mexico National Guard). Of Baca's own siblings, only his oldest brother served in the armed forces.[2]
Baca holds a BS in Liberal Arts from the State University of New York at Albany and an honorary Doctorate of Law from New Mexico State University.[8] He is also an Honorary Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.[3]
Among LTG Baca's decorations are the following:
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by MG Raymond F. Rees (acting) |
Chief of the National Guard Bureau 1994 - 1998 |
Succeeded by LTG Russell C. Davis |