Vernon J. Baker-Arlington, VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 52.710 W 077° 03.894
18S E 320882 N 4305320
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action on the German stronghold of Castle Aghinolfi near Viareggio, Italy on April 5-6, 1945. He was one of seven African-American Distinguished Service Cross recipients who was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He was presented the Medal of Honor on January 13, 1997 by President Clinton. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Section 59 site 4408.
Waymark Code: WMWV97
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 10/16/2017
Views: 0
He was born on December 17, 1919 in Cheyenne WY and died on July 13, 2010 in Saint Maries, ID. His Medal of Honor citation is: BAKER, VERNON
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.
Armed Service: Army
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