World War II Honoree

Josephine Baker

Hometown

Saint Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Richard E. Miller

Relationship

Historian

A LEGENDARY ENTERTAINER, THE AFRO-AMERICAN EXPATRIATE, 'LA BAKER' WAS ALSO A DARING COURIER FOR THE FRENCH RESISTANCE IN OCCUPIED EUROPE. EVENTUALLY, SHE BECAME A SUB LIEUTENANT IN THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY OF THE FREE FRENCH FORCES AND WAS AWARDED THE CROIX DE GUERRE, LÉGION D'HONNEUR AND ROSETTE OF THE RÉSISTANCE FOR HER HEROISM. SHE WAS SAID TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE FRENCH MILITARY HONORS AT HER FUNERAL IN 1975.