Vernon Baker Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT
VERNON J. BAKER
ARMY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Vernon J. Baker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, while serving with Company C, 370th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action 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.
Born: 17 Dec 1919, Cheyenne, Wy…. Also awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star… Retired in 1965 as a First Sergeant.
Very common to get a (temporary) promotion in those days but retain your permanent rank – later, after the war to revert to the permanent rank. My Dad got a battlefield commission as a LT and reverted to 1SG right after the war.
Dave,
I questioned that myself, but according to Army documents, he was awarded the Medal as a First Lieutenant, and retired as a First Sergeant.
My daughter and her family lives in Viareggio, Italy. It is in Northern Italy on the Med side of the boot. The beach there is 70 miles long and from it going inland about 20 miles begin the elevation into the hills and mountains. It has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. There is much history in this area of the world. Thank you Lt. Baker for your heroic service to America.
God bless your descendants.
I noticed that he retired as a First Sergant is this a typo?
I’ve had the distinct honor of shaking 1LT Baker’s hand. Thank you for featuring his story.