WWII uncovered: Black History Month 2023: First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker: A True American Hero.

 🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Black History Month 2023: First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker: A True American Hero.

"Vernon J. Baker received the Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton in 1997. Baker tearfully and humbly accepted the honor for courageous deeds performed over a half-century before in World War II. His bravery had previously earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart."

"On August 1, 1944, Baker’s regiment landed at Naples, Italy to support the Fifth Army with the intent of fighting their way north and penetrating the Gothic Line. Lt. Baker became a skilled and valued platoon leader in the first few months in Italy, building a rapport with the men who he directed on nightly patrols. In October, Baker had a close call while on night patrol. His squad, which was attempting to take a house on the side of a hill, lost three men right away. Baker was seriously wounded and spent two months in the 64th General Hospital in Pisa before being returned to his unit. When he returned in December, he was the senior-most officer in his unit."

"On April 5, 1945, it was the 1st Battalion’ s turn to make a push forward, with Baker’s C Company in the lead. Seventy percent of the men under Baker’s command were replacements with no previous combat experience." (National World War II Museum)

⭐ First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker's Medal of Honor Citation reads as follows:

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, stopping three German soldiers. Continuing forward, he attacked an enemy observation post and eliminated two occupants. With the aid of one of his men, Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, stopping and 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.

After World War II, he became an Army parachutist in the 11th Airborne Division and served in the Korean War. He retired from the Army in 1968. Vernon also worked for the American Red Cross Organization for 20 years. As widower in 1986, he then moved to Idaho to pursue his love of hunting and mountain living. Vernon remarried and lived out the rest of his days in Idaho. He passed away on July 13, 2010 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 90 years old. Vernon lies in rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.

#ww2uncovered #MedalofHonor #WWII 

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistory 

#worldwar2 #worldwartwo #WorldWarII 

#blackhistorymonth2023 #WWIIveteran #ww2 #wwiihistory #ww2veteran #lestweforget  

WWII uncovered©️ original description and photo sourced from the US Army Center of Military History, National World War II Museum and US Signal Corps Archive (Fair Use Photos)

Drop your comment in the comment section.