Biography

Mr. Baines has served his country well. He completed tours of duty with the US Navy Seabees in Vietnam, Micronesia and the Trust Territories. On February 17, 1969 Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes addressed a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives to introduce a Senate Resolution recognizing Mr. Baines for his distinguished service in Vietnam. Mr. Baines and his mother, who also attended the ceremony, received a standing ovation.

Military Service:

• US Navy Seabees: Mobile Construction Battalions – “MCB-11, MCB-3 & RMCB-22”.
• US Navy Seabee Teams – #1114 and #316
• Home Port: Port Hueneme, California.
• Tours of Duty: Republic of Vietnam – Quang Tri, Dong Ha, Cam Lo, My Chanh & the “Rock Pile”.
• Tours of Duty: US Trust Territories – Truk Atoll (Truk Islands); Guam (Mariana Islands); and, Majuro, Kwajalein & Eniwetok (Marshall Islands).
• Dates of Service: 1966 to 1972.

Awards & Honors:

• On February 17th 1969 Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes addressed a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives to introduce a Senate Resolution recognizing Mr. Baines for his distinguished service in Vietnam. Mr. Baines and his mother, who also attended the ceremony, received a standing ovation.
• On February 17th 1969 Texas Governor Preston Smith honored Mr. Baines with an appointment to Commissioned Admiral in the Texas Navy.
• At 30-years of age, Mr. Baines was recognized as an “Outstanding Young Texan” by Who’s Who in Texas Business.
• On the morning of November 10th 1981 President Ronald Reagan greeted Mr. Baines and a small contingent of Vietnam Veterans in a Rose Garden reception, at the White House, to announce the President’s newly created Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. Mr. Baines served as a co-chairman from 1981 to 1984.
• During President George H. W. Bush’s administration, Mr. Baines was nominated for an appointment to Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was passed over in the final selection process, but was honored to have been nominated.
• On December 4th 1986 the Mayor and City Council of San Antonio commended Mr. Baines for his “unselfish service and sacrifices for all veterans of our nation’s conflicts, particularly those of the Vietnam War who shall always be remembered through your untiring efforts…” “The Mayor and City Council call to the attention of all citizens of San Antonio your very important contributions and hereby proclaim you as “Benefactor of the Community.”
• As a result of Mr. Baines personal invitation; On July 28th 1987 General Alfred M. Gray (29th Commandant of the Marine Corps) was the keynote speaker at a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the battle of Hill-881 South and the Khe Sanh hill fights. Accompanying General Gray on his visit to San Antonio were future Assistant Commandant General Walter E. Boomer and the 11th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, David W. Sommers. Other members of the Commandant’s staff members were also present.
• On August 18th 1988 Mr. Baines was honored by the United States Marine Corps at a Meritorious Mast for his efforts to create “Hill-881 South”, San Antonio’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• On September 2nd 1988 Mr. Baines was an honored guest at the Commandant’s House, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Washington, DC. The following is an excerpt of a subsequent letter from the Commandant…”John, the dedication of San Antonio’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial was a great day for Vietnam veterans and for America. Your dedicated professionalism and superior leadership made all of this happen. Your inspiring effort has earned the deepest respect of your Marine Corps, your Navy, of all the armed forces and from a grateful nation. Semper Fi – Al Gray, 29th Commandant, United States Marine Corps.”
• Mr. Baines twice received recognition for the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award as one of San Antonio’s outstanding volunteers for his work on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In 1987 he received a Second Place award and in 1991 he received the First Place award.
• On October 27th 1992 Mr. Baines received a Citation from the City of San Antonio for his “Outstanding Service to the Community” as a member of the River walk Commission.
• In 2020 the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce selected Mr. Baines to serve as chairman of their 50th Anniversary of Celebrate America’s Military (“CAM”). The two-week long, fifty-event celebration was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• Mr. Baines professional career, military service and his involvement in veteran related programs have been featured in magazine articles and hard cover books: New York Times, U.S. News & World Report (“Eight Viet Vets Who Came Out Winners”), Newsweek magazine, Texas Monthly magazine, Texas Highways magazine, Stars and Stripes, Navy Times, Marines magazine, Leatherneck magazine, Military Times, The Retired Officer magazine, Soldier of Fortune, Warriors Remembered, The Khe Sanh Hill Fights, The Art of War, and Vietnam – Even God was Against Us.

In 1970 Mr. Baines established John D. Baines Properties as one of San Antonio’s leading commercial land brokerage firms. His knowledge, experience and ability to match buyers with properties that are perfectly suited to their needs has resulted in hundreds of successful transactions throughout central and south Texas. He has won the trust and respect of both individual and corporate clients due to his integrity, professionalism, relentless work-ethic and, most importantly, his ability to keep his client’s business dealings in the strictest of confidence. Over the past five-decades John D. Baines Properties has represented local, regional, national and international clients in some of San Antonio’s most noteworthy land transactions.

Over the past five-decades John D. Baines Properties has represented local, regional, national and international clients in some of San Antonio’s most noteworthy land transactions.

In 1973 Mr. Baines secured the exclusive listing on Ray Ellison Industries’ commercial land portfolio. At the time, Ray Ellison Industries was the largest privately owned home builder in the United States. In 1976, the listing portfolio was valued at over $150,000,000.00 ($700,000,000.00 in 2021 dollars). During this time frame, we brokered the largest commercial land transaction in San Antonio’s history.

Mr. Baines was the Founder and Chairman of Million Air and Summa Aviation, the premier fixed base operations for privately owned aircraft at the San Antonio International Airport. This facility provided a luxury five-star terminal with conference room, dining room, and separate lounges for visitors and pilots. Amenities available to our clients and customers: On-call limousine service, charter aircraft service, consignment sales, hangar rental, fuel sales and a full service maintenance division for a wide variety of aircraft. Mr. Baines and his partners sold these operations in 1988.

During the “real estate depression” of the late 80’s and early 90’s, Mr. Baines’ resourcefulness resulted in his becoming a consultant to Caesars World Resorts, Las Vegas, Nevada. His consulting responsibilities included reviewing and recommending destination resort properties for purchase or management by Caesars in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central & South America, and the Caribbean. Mr. Baines consulting contract expired when Caesars sold to ITT Corporation in 1994.

In 1995, after Mr. Baines’ consulting contract with Caesars had expired and the San Antonio real estate market recovered, he resumed his land brokerage activities with his 25-year old firm, John D. Baines Properties. During the ensuing 5-years, he brokered some of San Antonio’s most noteworthy commercial land transactions.

In 2001 Mr. Baines expanded his business by establishing Baines Pastureland Company to broker and invest in ranch properties in central and south Texas.

Being involved in the community as both a civic and business leader is very important to Mr. Baines. He was a co-founder of the Real Estate Round Table and the Independent Commercial Brokers Association.

Mr. Baines serves, or has served, as a board member or a member in good standing of the San Antonio Livestock Association, San Antonio Real Estate Council, San Antonio Riverwalk Commission, Texas Alliance of Land Brokers, Texas Ranger Association Foundation, Texas Trophy Hunters Association, Texas Wildlife Association, National Rifle Association, ….

… Vietnam Veterans Memorial of San Antonio, United States Navy Memorial, Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Texas First Families, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Military Order of the Stars & Bars, John Birch Society, The University of Texas at Austin Ex-Students Association, the Longhorn Foundation, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, San Antonio Museum Association, Friends of the McNay Art Museum, and the Business Committee for the Arts. At age 30, Mr. Baines was named an “Outstanding Young Texan” by Who’s Who in Texas Business.

On a crisp November morning in 1981 President Ronald Reagan greeted Mr. Baines and a small contingent of Vietnam veterans at a White House ceremony to announce the President’s newly created Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. Mr. Baines served as a chairman of the “VVLP” from 1981 to 1984. The following year he became Founder and Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of San Antonio and was made an honorary director of the National Association of Vietnam Veterans. During President George H.W. Bush’s administration, Mr. Baines was nominated for an Assistant Secretary of the Navy post. After having been passed over in the final selection process, Mr. Baines said…“The more qualified man got the job. However, I am extremely proud to have been considered and it is an honor to have gone through the White House interview process.”

Mr. Baines was the Founder and Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of San Antonio, Inc. This IRS 501 c-3 non-profit corporation was created to design, construct and fund the development of Veterans Memorial Plaza, in downtown San Antonio, with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as its centerpiece. This tribute to the men and women who served in our nation’s most unpopular war, Vietnam, is one of America’s most inspiring war memorials. To learn more, please visit our website: www.vietnamveteransmemorialofsanantonio.com

On September 2, 1988 Mr. Baines was an honored guest at The Commandant’s House, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Washington D.C. A quote from a subsequent letter from the Commandant…”John, the dedication of San Antonio’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial was a great day for Vietnam veterans and for America. Your dedicated professionalism and superior leadership made all this happen. Your inspiring effort has earned the deepest respect of your Marine Corps, of your Navy, of all the armed forces and from a grateful nation. Semper Fi – Al Gray, 29th Commandant.

Mr. Baines twice received recognition for the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award as one of San Antonio’s outstanding volunteers for his work on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In 1987 he received a Second Place award and in 1991 he received the First Place award.He was featured in the U.S. News & World Report article “Eight Viet Vets Who Came Out Winners.” Mr. Baines’s veterans related accomplishments have also been featured in Newsweek, Texas Monthly magazine, Texas Highways magazine, Stars and Stripes, Navy Times, Marines magazine, Leatherneck magazine, Military Times, The Retired Officer Magazine and Soldier of Fortune.

On Saturday, March 19th 2022, Mr. Baines received the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s highest, most prestigious award – the Medal of Honor. The ceremony was held at the DAR’s annual convention in Houston, Texas. Over 1,000 attended this once in a lifetime event!

The DAR Medal of Honor is awarded to “An Adult Native-born American Citizen who has displayed Leadership, Trustworthiness, Service, and Patriotism.”

“Receiving the DAR’s highest award is something I will cherish for the rest of my days!”
-John Baines