FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Vernon Baker ~ July 26, 2010

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Vernon Baker

(Info found here.)

           

On Saturday, July 13th, another Medal of Honor recipient left us to guard the streets of heaven.  Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.

Vernon Joseph Baker (December 17, 1919 – July 13, 2010) was a United States Army officer who received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II. He was awarded the medal for his actions on April 5–6, 1945 near Viareggio, Italy, when he and his platoon killed 26 enemy soldiers and destroyed six machine gun nests, two observer posts and four dugouts. He was the only living black World War II veteran of the seven belatedly awarded the medal of honor when it was bestowed upon him by President William Jefferson Clinton in 1997.

Early life

Baker was born on December 17, 1919, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the youngest of three children. After his parents died in a car accident when he was four, he and his two sisters were raised by their grandparents. His grandfather Joseph S. Baker, a railroad worker in Cheyenne, taught him to hunt in order to feed the family and became "the most influential figure in Vernon's life." His relationship with his grandmother was much more strained, and he spent a few years at the Boys Town orphanage in Nebraska to be away from her.

Baker graduated from high school in his grandfather's hometown of Clarinda, Iowa. He then worked as a railroad porter, a job he despised, until his grandfather's death from cancer in 1939. A series of menial jobs followed until his enlistment in the U.S. Army in mid-1941. At his first attempt to enlist, in April 1941, he was turned away, the recruiter stating "We don't have any quotas for you people." He tried again weeks later with a different recruiter and was accepted; he requested to become a quartermaster but was instead assigned to the infantry.

 

Military service

Baker entered the Army on June 26, 1941, six months prior to the U.S. entry into World War II. He went through training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and after completing Officer Candidate School was commissioned as a second lieutenant on January 11, 1943.

In June 1944, Baker was sent to Italy with the all-black 92nd Infantry Division. He was wounded in the arm in October of that year, hospitalized near Pisa, and in December rejoined his unit in reserve along the Gothic Line. In early spring, 1945, his unit was pulled from the reserves and placed in active combat. On the morning of April 5, he participated in an attack on the German stronghold of Castle Aghinolfi. During the assault, Baker led his heavy weapons platoon through German defenses to within sight of the castle, personally destroying three machine gun nests, two observation posts, two bunkers, and a network of German telephone lines along the way. It was for these actions that he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.

After the end of the war, Baker remained in Europe with the Allied occupation forces until 1947. He later joined the Army Airborne forces and left the military in 1968 as a first lieutenant.

In 1993, a study commissioned by the U.S. Army described systematic racial discrimination in the criteria for awarding medals during World War II. At the time, no Medals of Honor had been awarded to black soldiers who served in World War II. After an exhaustive review of files, the study recommended that several black Distinguished Service Cross recipients have their awards upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On January 13, 1997, President Bill Clinton awarded the medal to seven African American World War II veterans; Baker was the only recipient still living at the time.

Baker's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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 an 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.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[PERKY2004]

Good evening!!! Yes, it’s been hot hot hot here ... typical July weather for central California. And, (surprise, surprise) it’s supposed to be 100+ tomorrow, too! It’s definitely cut into my biking, but that’s to be expected for July and August, I suppose.

[PERKY2004]

Ahhh ... rain would be nice, but we don't really get rain except in the wintertime here. It's pretty much "ridiculously hot" all summer ... sunny and smoggy and hot! We did take a 3-day trip to Monterey a few weeks ago, so we could get in some biking in cooler weather! (We had a delightful time.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Nice setup....she provides her own entertainment....always something to chase, and she will never catch it. LOL!!

[oldteen]

We’re only supposed to hit the low 90s all week up in the hills so shouldn’t be too bad, IF the humidity stays low! Getting away with the hubby is always a good thing :). Glad you had the time to do so!

[oldteen]

Did Zach go with Mrs. PRO? When is she returning?

[PERKY2004]

Any chance of thunderstorms in the hills for you? It was nice to get away with my wonderful DH. We’re supposed to grab another 3-day trip in mid-August. (To Monterey, again!)

[oldteen]

There’s always a chance of summer T-storms but we just pray they don’t develope with all the dry grass as they normally don’t produce much rain. Just lots of lightening strikes!

[PROCON]

Yeah, Zach is registering at his new school in Yakima, Wa.

They'll be home late tomorrow.

[oldteen]

That’s a tough age for a new school and new city but I’m sure he’ll do just fine with it. You’re a very understanding hubby and Dad to go thru this. Hopefully, it won’t last too long.

[luvie]

In honor of the beautiful full moon outside!

Paul Hardcastle~Midnight Moon

Mannheim Steamroller~Midnight On A Full Moon

Steve Oliver~Shadow Of The Moon

Herbie Mann & Cissy Houston~Cajun Moon

Frank Sinatra~Fly Me To The Moon

[oldteen]

As I can’t see the moon yet, I’ll just have to take your word for it :).

[luvie]

Gawjus! :D

[oldteen]

Guess I’ll just have to wait!

[oldteen]

I can see her now! She is gawjus! Just coming up over the hilltops!

[PROCON]

Well Luv, sorry I didn't get a chance to visit with ya..:=(

Night ladies!

[oldteen]

G’night PRO. Peaceful sleep. Have a wonderfuly Monday!! *hugs*

[luvie]

I’m sorry I missed you, too! Hope you have a great week! Sleep tight!

[luvie]

LOL! Figured you’d be seeing her soon! Bright and beautiful, eh?

[oldteen]

Bright and beautiful

That, she is!

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy.