Vernon Baker
Vernon Joseph Baker (December 17, 1919 – July 13, 2010) was a United States Army first lieutenant who was an infantry company platoon leader during World War II and a paratrooper during the Korean War. In 1997, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, for his actions on April 5–6, 1945, near Viareggio, Italy.
Vernon Joseph Baker | |
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Vernon Baker after World War II | |
| Born | December 17, 1919 Cheyenne, Wyoming, US |
| Died | July 13, 2010 (aged 90) St. Maries, Idaho, US |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1968 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | C Company, 1st Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division 11th Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (2) War Cross of Military Valor (Italy) |
Baker and six other Black Americans who served in World War II were formally awarded the Medal of Honor on January 12, 1997. A day later, Baker (the only living recipient) and representatives for the six other men were given the awards by President Bill Clinton at a ceremony in the White House in Washington, D.C. The seven recipients were the first (and only) Black Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II. Baker died in 2010 at the age of 90 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.