John F. Baker Jr.
Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. En route to assist another unit that was
engaged with the enemy, Company A came under intense enemy fire and the
lead man was killed instantly. Sgt. Baker immediately moved to the head
of the column and together with another soldier knocked out 2 enemy
bunkers. When his comrade was mortally wounded, Sgt. Baker, spotting 4
Viet Cong snipers, killed all of them, evacuated the fallen soldier and
returned to lead repeated assaults against the enemy positions, killing
several more Viet Cong. Moving to attack 2 additional enemy bunkers, he
and another soldier drew intense enemy fire and Sgt. Baker was blown
from his feet by an enemy grenade.
He quickly recovered and
single-handedly destroyed 1 bunker before the other soldier was wounded.
Seizing his fallen comrade’s machine gun, Sgt. Baker charged through
the deadly fusillade to silence the other bunker. He evacuated his
comrade, replenished his ammunition and returned to the forefront to
brave the enemy fire and continue the fight. When the forward element
was ordered to withdraw, he carried 1 wounded man to the rear. As he
returned to evacuate another soldier, he was taken under fire by
snipers, but raced beyond the friendly troops to attack and kill the
snipers.
After evacuating the wounded man, he returned to cover the
deployment of the unit. His ammunition now exhausted, he dragged 2 more
of his fallen comrades to the rear. Sgt. Baker’s selfless heroism,
indomitable fighting spirit, and extraordinary gallantry were directly
responsible for saving the lives of several of his comrades, and
inflicting serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with
the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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