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Vernon Joseph Baker (December 17, 1919 – July 13, 2010) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award given by the United States Government for his valorous actions during World War II. He was awarded the medal for his actions on April 5–6, 1945 near Viareggio, Italy. Baker was the only living black American World War II veteran of the seven belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor when it was bestowed upon him by President Bill Clinton in 1997. He died in 2010 at the age of 90.
Vernon Baker - Wikipedia
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Vernon Baker, Medal of Honor, WWII
On January 13, 1997, First Lieutenant Vernon Baker became the only living African-American serviceman from World War II to receive the Medal of Honor. He ear...
Thanks Maj Marty Hogan for letting us know that December 17 is the anniversary of the birth of WWII United States Army officer veteran Vernon Joseph Baker who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 5–6, 1945 near Viareggio, Italy.
Thankfully he lived long enough to be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 decades after his act of heroism.
Image: 1944-04 1LT Vernon Joseph Baker
Rank: U.S. Army First Lieutenant
Company: Weapons Platoon, Company C, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division
Entered Service At: St. Maries, ID
Date of Issue: 01/13/1997
Place / Date: Near Viareggio, Italy, 5 and 6 April 1945
Citation
For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces."
Well done and rest in eternal peace Vernon Joseph Baker.
The Story Of Vernon J. Baker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVZmj0uK3M
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell
Thankfully he lived long enough to be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997 decades after his act of heroism.
Image: 1944-04 1LT Vernon Joseph Baker
Rank: U.S. Army First Lieutenant
Company: Weapons Platoon, Company C, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division
Entered Service At: St. Maries, ID
Date of Issue: 01/13/1997
Place / Date: Near Viareggio, Italy, 5 and 6 April 1945
Citation
For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations, personnel and equipment during his company's attack against a strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked and enemy observation post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces."
Well done and rest in eternal peace Vernon Joseph Baker.
The Story Of Vernon J. Baker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVZmj0uK3M
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell
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