In a powerful tribute to his bravery during World War II, 1st Lt.
Vernon Baker was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997—over five decades after his heroics in service went unrecognized due to racial discrimination.
With this accolade, he joined the ranks of just seven Black American soldiers honored for their extraordinary contributions in the war.
Early Life and Military Journey
Born in 1919 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Baker’s early life was marked by tragedy.
At just four years old, he tragically lost both parents in a car crash.
Eventually, he and his two sisters found stability with their grandparents in Clarinda, Iowa.
His grandfather imparted essential life skills, including hunting, that shaped Baker’s character and resilience.
Following his graduation from Clarinda High School, Baker took up work as a railroad porter after his grandfather’s death from cancer in 1939.
This job was a means to provide for his family, yet he yearned for something more fulfilling.
With a desire to serve, Baker sought to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1941.
Unfortunately, he faced rejection due to racial bias—the recruiter claimed there were no available slots for Black recruits.
Undaunted, Baker returned a few weeks later and was accepted into the Army on June 26, 1941.
Though he initially aimed for a role in the Quartermaster Corps, he found himself in the infantry instead.
Baker’s basic training at Fort Wolters in Texas introduced him to harsh realities of racial discrimination that he had not experienced before.
He chose to navigate these challenges, holding onto the wisdom of his grandfather about conformity as a means of survival.
Heroic Actions in Combat
His military journey took him through assignments with the 25th Infantry Regiment at Geiger Field in Washington and later at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
After reaching his goal of becoming a supply sergeant, Baker was presented with a chance to attend Officer Candidate School in October 1942.
Although hesitant at first, Baker embraced this opportunity for advancement, successfully graduating from training at Fort Benning in Georgia, where he earned the rank of second lieutenant.
He assumed command of a weapons platoon in Company C of the 370th Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division—a segregated unit that had been dormant in combat since World War I.
On June 15, 1944, Baker’s regiment embarked from Hampton Roads, Virginia, bound for Naples, Italy, where they would engage the enemy in a grueling campaign across treacherous terrain against strongly fortified German positions.
In the ensuing months, Baker developed deep bonds with his men.
However, tragedy struck in October when three members of his squad were killed during a fierce enemy assault, and Baker himself was injured.
Following his recovery at the 64th General Hospital in Pisa, he rejoined his unit in December, quickly ascending to the position of senior officer—a role he filled until March 1945, when a few white officers joined the ranks.
April 5, 1945, marked a pivotal moment for Baker during a critical operation to seize Aghinolfi Castle, a stronghold that had resisted numerous assaults.
Leading a platoon of inexperienced replacements from C Company, Baker’s combat skills were put to the ultimate test.
Within two hours of the mission, he positioned himself just 250 yards from the target.
Drawing on his hunting skills, he neutralized two German soldiers in an observation post, followed by another two near a concealed machine-gun nest.
While discussing strategy with Captain Runyon, a grenade landed dangerously close but failed to detonate.
As Runyon retreated for better cover, Baker continued his assault, successfully taking out four more enemy soldiers.
The enemy soon realized Baker’s presence and retaliated with a brutal mortar attack, resulting in the loss of six of his own men.
Undeterred, Baker remained vigilant in the face of a counterattack.
Runyon planned to fetch reinforcements, but Baker recognized the futility of that effort given the enemy’s overwhelming numbers and his own waning composure.
As the situation worsened, he made a difficult decision to ensure his men’s safety, orchestrating a two-phase retreat.
Sadly, during this maneuver, one soldier was injured, and a medic fell victim to an enemy sniper.
Resourcefulness was vital as Baker used grenades to destroy two German machine gun posts before successfully guiding his platoon back to the first aid station.
After a grueling twelve-hour fight, Baker’s unit suffered 19 casualties but bravely held their ground.
Recognition and Legacy
In the aftermath, Baker and Runyon were reassigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 473rd Infantry, achieving their objectives with fewer losses—thanks in part to the groundwork Baker had laid in the earlier engagement.
A few days later, Runyon put Baker forward for the Distinguished Service Cross—an honor that, at the time, was the highest awarded to Black soldiers.
On July 4, 1945, Baker was bestowed with this medal alongside the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Following the war, Baker continued to serve in Italy until early 1947 before taking short leave.
By 1951, during the Korean War, he had become one of the first Black officers to lead an all-white company, a reflection of the Army’s gradual integration efforts.
Although the size of the Army shrank post-war, Baker continued his military career as a master sergeant at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he trained paratroopers and interacted with elite airborne divisions.
Yet, he never returned to his officer’s rank.
Baker’s military career concluded on August 31, 1968.
He then dedicated the following two decades to the Red Cross.
In 1996, he was notified that his wartime service was under review.
Finally, on January 13, 1997, he was awarded his long-deserved Medal of Honor, one of only seven Black Americans whose Distinguished Service Crosses received an upgrade.
He was the only living recipient to accept the award from President Bill Clinton.
In 2008, the National WWII Museum honored Baker with the American Spirit Award.
In his later years, he settled in Benewah Valley, Idaho, where he experienced three marriages and raised three children.
After a brave battle with cancer, Baker passed away on July 13, 2010, at the age of 90, in St. Maries, Idaho.
He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Source: Militarytimes