World War II Honoree

Gerald A. Baker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Berlin, New Hampshire

Honored By

The Baker Family

Relationship

Family

He entered The U.S. Army as a Private on March 31, 1943. After basic training, his foreign service started in North Africa on September 21, 1943. He attended glider school in Tanzania and shipped off to Italy on October 18, 1943. He was assigned to the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division and promoted to Private First Class. He joined his new unit and division west of Montesarchio for the crossing of the Volturno River and securing Alife. This was his first real action as the long two year march across Italy and France, with battles of Mount Cassino and Anzio soon to follow. After a two day battle to capture Cacina Town, he was promoted to Sergeant on July 7, 1944. During a brief rest period, he was also cited by Major General Charles Bolte for exceptionally meritorious conduct for his heroic actions during this battle. On August 22, 1944, he was promoted quickly to Staff Sergeant, this one day after Prime Minister Churchill’s inspection of the 133rd Infantry Regiment and just day’s prior to the regiment moving northwest to Legri to begin the attack on the Gothic Line. On September 15, when a shortage of officers made it necessary for his Platoon Leader to assume leadership as Company Commander, he assumed the double responsibility of Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader. Soon after returning from backing up the 10th Mountain Division for a month with assaults on Riva Ridge and Mt Belvedere-Mt della Torraccia Ridge, he was promoted to Technical Sergeant on April 1, 1945. Now assuming the role and full responsibilities as a Platoon Leader, April would prove to be a very successful month for the 133rd Regiment as they battled aggressively through the PO Valley. On April 27, 1944 he received a Battlefield Commission. Now he assumed the responsibilities of Platoon Leader and later that June became the Infantry Company B Commander as the Regiment moved by rail and truck to Northeastern Italy in the vicinity of Udine until they departed in late October for the United States. During World War 11 Second He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak leaf Cluster, The Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, The American Campaign Medal, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 Battle Stars, The World War 11 Victory Medal, The Croix de Guerre with Palm, Combat Infantry Badge, & Glider Badge. He went on to serve two tours of duty in the Korean War and one tour in The Vietnam War. He retired in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel.