Benjamin was born on the 12th of March, 1862 in Dennis Port, Massachusetts, and he joined the US Navy in 1885. He often skipped meals and would send home his meal savings to his family. It was his actions as a Coxswain that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Baker set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Benjamin received the Medal of Honor in 1899 and would later retire from the Navy at the rank of Chief Master at Arms in 1915. Benjamin Franklin Baker died on the 19th of May, 1927 at the age of 65 and in 2015, the Dennis Historical Commission dedicated a monument to the only Medal of Honor recipient to have been from Cape Cod. He is buried in the Swan Lake Cemetery in Dennis Port, Massachusetts.