Fred Baptiste

Fred Baptiste served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and obtained the rank of Sergeant.

In November 1995, Mr. Baptiste enlisted in the Marine Corps, and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He also went to the Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger and the Basic Electrician course at the Marine Corps Engineer School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was selected as the Honor Graduate. Following graduation, he was assigned to Service Company, 6th Communications Battalion in Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where he held several billets, including Team Leader, Embarkation NCO, and Squad Leader.

Mr. Baptiste was activated with the New York Naval Militia after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, providing security support at Ground Zero in the weeks that followed. He was later activated in support of Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom, where he served as Platoon Sergeant for the Engineer Platoon, Service Company, 6th Communications Battalion. He was responsible for over 80 Marines and was honorably discharged in 2003.

Mr. Baptiste earned numerous decorations and commendations, including the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (with 1 bronze star), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 bronze campaign stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with ‘M’ device for mobilization). Additional accomplishments include a Marine Corps Association Certificate of Achievement, one meritorious promotion, a New York State Medal for Military Commendation (for service with the New York Naval Militia following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001), and several letters of appreciation for service with Toys for Tots.

An active member of the community, Mr. Baptiste served as PTA President, member of the Panel for Educational Policy for the New York City Department of Education, and a Trustee of the NYC Board of Education Retirement System (BERS). Mr. Baptiste is a life member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of Brooklyn Community Board 9 since 2012, where he has served in several roles including Committee Chair, Parliamentarian, and currently as the Board Chair.

Mr. Baptiste works for the New York County District Attorney’s Office and resides in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his wife, Betty, and their three children, Christopher, Jayson, and Arianna.