First Lieutenant Vernon Baker

The deceased first lieutenant from the U.S. Army was a platoon leader who served during the second world war. He also fulfilled his duties as a paratrooper at the time of the Korean War. he was bestowed with America’s highest military decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor.

Aside from that, Baker received the War Cross for Military Valor, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. Though Baker was turned down in his first attempt to enter the United States Army, he was determined to fulfill his dreams and he kept on pursuing it until he was enlisted in June 1941.

His extraordinary heroism on April 5 and April 6, 1945, won him the second-highest military decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross. Baker passed away in 2010. He was 90. He was active in the military from 1941 to 1968.