As I commented on the above site: "Wow and why I never read fiction! Thanks. I read another on an outside bulletin board in Vietnam which impressed me similarly. Too bad I didn't take a photo or write down the name."
For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty at Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944.
When his entire
company was held up by fire from automatic weapons and small-arms fire
from strongly fortified enemy positions that commanded the view of the
company, Sgt. (then Pvt.) Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed
alone to within 100 yards of the enemy.
Through heavy
rifle and machinegun fire that was directed at him by the enemy, he
knocked out the strong point, enabling his company to assault the ridge.
Some days later
while his company advanced across the open field flanked with
obstructions and places of concealment for the enemy, Sgt. Baker again
voluntarily took up a position in the rear to protect the company
against surprise attack and came upon 2 heavily fortified enemy pockets
manned by 2 officers and 10 enlisted men which had been bypassed.
Without regard
for such superior numbers, he unhesitatingly attacked and killed all of
them. Five hundred yards farther, he discovered 6 men of the enemy who
had concealed themselves behind our lines and destroyed all of them. On 7
July 1944, the perimeter of which Sgt. Baker was a part was attacked
from 3 sides by from 3,000 to 5,000 Japanese. During the early stages of
this attack, Sgt. Baker was seriously wounded but he insisted on
remaining in the line and fired at the enemy at ranges sometimes as
close as 5 yards until his ammunition ran out.
Without
ammunition and with his own weapon battered to uselessness from
hand-to-hand combat, he was carried about 50 yards to the rear by a
comrade, who was then himself wounded. At this point Sgt. Baker refused
to be moved any farther stating that he preferred to be left to die
rather than risk the lives of any more of his friends.
A short time
later, at his request, he was placed in a sitting position against a
small tree . Another comrade, withdrawing, offered assistance. Sgt.
Baker refused, insisting that he be left alone and be given a soldier’s
pistol with its remaining 8 rounds of ammunition.
When last seen
alive, Sgt. Baker was propped against a tree, pistol in hand, calmly
facing the foe. Later Sgt. Baker’s body was found in the same position,
gun empty, with 8 Japanese lying dead before him. His deeds were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
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