Robert Leslie Baker was born on 27 March 1916, at Broadway, Ohio. Robert attended school at Harding High School, Class of 1934. While at Harding, Robert took College Prep. Courses and was involved with the Hi-Y Club and the National Honor Society. He has a brother, Wilton Baker, who was discharged from the Army, after serving two years in Italy. Robert L. Baker married Helen F. (Humes) and they had a son, Robert William Baker, together. Baker would enter service on 26 August 1943. He left for overseas duty in April of 1944.

While in Europe Robert L. Baker served with the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion in England, France and Germany. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC.). He was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Ardennes. Baker was initially reported as Missing in Action (MIA). But later, members of his unit reported that he was a prisoner at the Wittlick Prison Camp. They reported this after their release from the same camp. They reported that he was being treated by the Germans for an illness when they had last seen Baker.

It was later determined that Robert L. Baker had died, on 15 January 1945, leaving behind a wife and three year old son. PFC Robert L. Baker is buried in Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Robert L. Baker is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.