A Hero Passes: CDA Press reporting on Vernon Baker, MOH

[jmowreader]

There's an odd custom these days to call everyone who's ever served in the military a hero. It's not true, unfortunately. Most troops are just like you: they go to work, do their jobs as best they can, and come home to watch their kids play softball. But there are some bona fide heroes in the military, and yesterday we lost one. Vernon Baker, the only living African-American recipient of the Medal of Honor, died after a six-year fight with cancer. This is what he did:

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, 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.

You may remember that Baker was the beneficiary of a Congressional investigation into heroism by African-Americans during WWII, when racism caused black men who performed heroic deeds that would easily draw a white soldier The Medal received lower awards. Lieutenant Baker was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross--a very high award, but not what he really deserved. After the investigation was completed, President Clinton placed the Medal around Lieutenant Baker's neck-the only living recipient of seven who were approved.

Lieutenant Baker was everyone's hero, but he was a North Idaho resident so we gave him the whole front page of this morning's newspaper, in three articles that had to jump to inside pages. This is what we said...

A real American hero passes: http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_05bccdf7-ffca-5381-930c-576446129045.html

He was a true warrior: http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_f72988b7-3771-5b58-9232-1c812f97a25b.html

St. Maries loses one of their own: http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_8041c40e-fb06-5b4a-9734-7439db38d357.html

There's going to be a ceremony in St. Maries--I will get the information in time that anyone who'd like to go can make arrangements to attend.

[BlueIdaho]

1. RIP Lieutenant Baker

His recognition was a long time coming - I was overjoyed when President Clinton placed the medal around his neck. May he and his family find peace and comfort.

[WinkyDink]

2. God bless you, Lt. Baker, and give you the final honor you deserve.