World War II Honoree

Vernon Joseph Baker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Honored By

Charles H. Atkinson

Relationship

Vietnam Veteran

SERVED WITH THE 370TH REGIMENT, 92ND DIVISION. WAS CITED FOR ACTIONS IN ITALY IN 1945 AT CASTLE AGHINOLFI WHERE, LEADING AN ADVANCE ON A GERMAN-HELD CASTLE, HE SINGLE HANDEDLY KILLED EIGHT GERMANS AND DESTROYED AN ENEMY OBSERVATION POST AND DUGOUT. THEN, WITH ABOUT 2/3 OF THE 25 MEN WITH HIM KILLED OR INJURED BY ENEMY MACHINE GUN AND MORTAR FIRE, HE VOLUNTEERED TO COVER THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE WALKING WOUNDED AND IN THE PROCESS, DESTROYED 2 ENEMY MACHINE GUN EMPLACEMENTS. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER HAD RECOMMENDED HIM FOR THE MEDAL OF HONOR AT THAT TIME. HE WAS FINALLY AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR ON JANUARY 13, 1997 BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. HE WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 7 AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS OF WWII HONORED THAT DAY WHO WAS STILL ALIVE.