Marine to change name for cash

JACKSONVILLE, N.C., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- When 2007 rolls around, U.S. Marine Sgt. Cody Baker may have a different moniker on his nameplate, thanks to his cyberspace bidding site.

It could be Finest Freshest Fastest or Mr. Kontraband or George Bailey of Bedford Falls. It all depends in which name brings in the most cash from his Internet name-change site, choosemyname.com, the Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News said.

Right now he'd be Sergeant Fastest, based on the $26,333.31 bid.

Baker, 29, who is transferring to North Carolina's Camp Lejeune this month, said he hopes to raise enough money to complete his college education when he leaves the Marines in 18 months. He said he wants to be a full-time student but needs the cash to support his wife and son.

Part of the payout would go to Im Jai House, a Thai orphanage that Baker has contributed to in the past, the Daily News said.

Baker, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, said he's not much of a gambler but had witnessed other seemingly outrageous schemes succeed, so "I thought, 'What does it matter? What do I have to lose?'" the newspaper said.