"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 machine gun 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 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."
From Sgt. Addison E. Baker's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 9, 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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