I was sad to learn that First Lt. Vernon Joseph Baker, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient died July 13th at age 90. Lt. Johnson won the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on April 5-6, 1945 near Viareggio, Italy, when he and his platoon killed 26 enemy soldiers and destroyed six machinegun nests, two observer posts and four dugouts. Other medals he earned were: Bronze Star, Purple Heart and (from Italy) The Croce Al Valor Militaire.
It was ironic that it was only last week that I watched a documentary about the heroic actions of Black soldiers in WWII, when the US Military was still segregated. One of the stories was about Vernon Baker, and how he was the only Black WWII soldier still living when the belated MOH's were awarded to him as well as the others who had to receive them posthumously from (then )President Clinton in the 1990's.
Rest In Peace Lt. Vernon J. Baker..