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Who was Vernon Baker and why was he significant?
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.
Where did Vernon Baker fight in ww2?
Italian CampaignVernon BakerVernon Joseph BakerYears of service1941–1968RankFirst LieutenantUnitC Company, 1st Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division 11th Airborne DivisionBattles/warsWorld War II Italian Campaign ( WIA ) Korean War7 more rows
Who was the most decorated soldier in World War 2?
Audie MurphyAudie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor, songwriter, and rancher. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II....Audie MurphyAllegianceUnited StatesService/branchUnited States Army United States Army National Guard United States Army Reserve13 more rows
Who was the most decorated black soldier?
Henry JohnsonHenry Johnson (World War I soldier)Henry JohnsonNickname(s)Black Death, Harlem TerminatorBornc.July 15, 1892 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United StatesDiedJuly 1, 1929 (aged 36) Washington, D.C., United StatesBuriedArlington National Cemetery9 more rows
What was the significance of the Battle of the Bulge?
The Battle of the Bulge marked the last German offense on the Western Front. The catastrophic losses on the German side prevented Germany from resisting the advance of Allied forces following the Normandy Invasion. Less than four months after the end of the Battle of the Bulge, Germany surrendered to Allied forces.
Who won the Medal of Honor in ww2?
NameDate of actionVernon J. BakerApril 5, 1945 – April 6, 1945Van T. BarfootMay 23, 1944Carlton W. BarrettJune 6, 1944John BasiloneOctober 24, 1942 – October 25, 194239 more rows
What is the hardest Medal to get in the military?
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government....It is awarded for gallantry in action:While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.More items...
Which is the best trained army in the world?
Russia. #1 in Strong military. #36 in Best Countries Overall. ... United States. #2 in Strong military. #4 in Best Countries Overall. ... China. #3 in Strong military. ... Israel. #4 in Strong military. ... South Korea. #5 in Strong military. ... Iran. #6 in Strong military. ... United Kingdom. #7 in Strong military. ... Ukraine. #8 in Strong military.More items...
Who is the most decorated soldier still serving?
He retired from the US Army after 36 years of service as a full colonel. He was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War and was "said to be the most decorated service member in the history of the United States"....Robert L. HowardBattles/warsVietnam War11 more rows
Has a woman won the Medal of Honor?
An American feminist, suffragist, suspected spy, prisoner of war and surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker remains the only women ever to receive the Medal of Honor, which she was awarded for her service during the Civil War.
Has a black man won the Medal of Honor?
Freddie Stowers was the first of only two African Americans to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in World War I.
Who was the youngest person to receive the Medal of Honor?
The youngest person ever to receive the Medal of Honor was probably William "Willie" Johnston, who earned the Medal during the Civil War just prior to his 12th birthday and received his award 6 weeks after his 13th.
What battle had the most Medal of Honor recipients?
On May 22, 1863, ninety-six men performed actions for which they received the Medal of Honor at Vicksburg, Mississippi. In all, at Vicksburg 120 Medals of Honor were awarded. The most medals awarded in a single day, however, are attributed to June 30, 1863.
How many American veterans of ww2 are still alive?
240,000 survivingAbout 70 million people fought in World War II and, as of 2021, there are still approximately 240,000 surviving veterans in the United States alone.
Are there any living WWII Medal of Honor recipients?
Hershel "Woody" Williams is literally one-of-a-kind. At the age of 97 he is the last living recipient of the Medal of Honor from World War II.
Who was the last black Medal of Honor recipient?
became the first ever black member of the Marine Corps to receive the Medal of Honor. Vietnam Special Forces soldier William Bryant (1969) was the last African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and today there is but one living African American recipient, Vietnam veteran Clarence Sasser.
Who was Vernon Baker?
In the early days of The National WWII Museum, Vernon Baker was a guiding force and active participant in the creation of the symposium “Fighting on Two Fronts: The African American Experience in World War II.” His oral history is featured in the Road to Berlin Gallery and online in the Museum's Digital Collections. Baker’s actions are spotlighted in the Separate but Unequal exhibit in the Arsenal of Democracy Gallery, the Medal of Honor exhibit in the US Freedom Pavilion, and in the traveling exhibition Fighting for the Right to Fight African American experiences in World War II.
Where was Vernon Baker raised?
Vernon Baker led by example many times throughout his life. Born in 1919, Baker was orphaned at the age of four and, along with two sisters, was raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming by his grandparents. Because of Baker’s struggles with anger and fights with his grandmother, he was sent to live for several years at Father Flanagan’s ...
What did Baker discover about the company commander overcome by fear?
Baker discovered the company commander overcome by fear. Capt. Runyon told him that he was going for reinforcements and to cover his withdrawal. Baker knew in the moment, that he would not see Runyon again and that he had to continue to lead, to set the example.
When did Vernon Baker get his commission?
After 13 weeks of OCS training at Ft. Benning, Baker received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on January 11 , 1943. Subsequently he was assigned to command a weapons platoon in the segregated 370th Infantry Regiment of the 92nd Infantry Division. Lt. Vernon Baker on January 11, 1943. Image courtesy of Vernon Baker.
How did Lieutenant Baker cover the evacuation of the wounded?
He then covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire.
How did Baker destroy the German machine gun nest?
Baker covered their withdrawal as they retreated, but two more of Baker’s men were killed. Under intense fire, Baker managed to crawl and use grenades to destroy two German machine gun nests clearing the way for his remaining men to reach the safety of the nearest forward aid station.
Why did Baker get turned away from the army?
Initially, he was turned away by the recruiter because he was African American, but Baker did not give up. He tried again, in June 1941, and was eventually accepted into the infantry.
Early life
Baker was born on December 17, 1919, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the youngest of three children. After his parents died in a car accident when he was four, he and his two sisters were raised by their grandparents. His grandfather Joseph S.
Military service
Baker entered the Army on June 26, 1941, six months prior to the U.S. entry into World War II. He went through training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and after completing Officer Candidate School was commissioned as a second lieutenant on January 11, 1943.
Medal of Honor
Vernon Baker is presented the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton on January 13, 1997.
Awards and decorations
Baker has been awarded the following military awards: Medal of Honor; Army Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal (twice); Purple Heart (twice); American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; World War II Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Croce Al Valor Militare (Italian Decoration)..
Family and later life
Baker's first wife was Helen Stewart Baker, a member of the Conley Family of Alabama. Two children came of this union: Vernon Baker (daughter named for him) and Micheal Baker. His second wife was Leola Baker. His third wife was Fern Brown; the couple had three children.
What is Vernon Baker's relationship with the National World War II Museum?
Vernon Baker’s relationship with The National World War II Museum goes back to the institution’s earliest days. His oral history is particularly compelling as it explores not only his notable military accomplishments but also his experiences as an African-American soldier in a segregated Army.
Where was Vernon Baker raised?
Born in1919, Baker was orphaned at the age of four and, along with two sisters, was raised in Cheyenne Wyoming by his grandparents.
What did Bill Clinton say about the Medal of Honor?
In 1997 at a White House ceremony, President Bill Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to Baker with these words: “They were denied the nation’s highest honor, but their deeds could not be denied.”. Baker also was decorated with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
When did Vernon Baker get the Medal of Honor?
Although Baker was a highly decorated veteran, it was not until January 13, 1997, that Baker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his deeds at Castle Aghinolfi after a 1993 U.S. Army commissioned study found that racial discrimination was evident in awarding of Medals of Honor during WWII. Vernon Baker, who had moved to St. Maries, Idaho with his wife, Heidi Pawlick, passed away on July 13, 2010 after a long bout with cancer.
What was the name of the platoon that Baker commanded?
Baker, the only African American officer in his company, commanded a weapons platoon of two Light Machine Gun (LMG) squads and two Mortar squads. On the morning of April 5th, his unit was ordered to assault a German mountain stronghold, Castle Aghinolfi, at dawn.
When was Baker commissioned?
When officers recognized his leadership capabilities he was allowed to attend Officer Candidate School. On January 11, 1943, Baker was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the segregated 370th Regiment of the 92nd Infantry Division, one of two all-black divisions.
What happened to Baker's mother?
His mother was named Beulah. At the age of four, Baker lost his parents in a car accident and he and his two sisters, Irma and Cass, were raised by his grandparents in Cheyenne and Clarinda, Iowa. Baker graduated from high school in Clarinda, Iowa in 1937 and found the only available work for blacks locally at that time.
