A Defiant Role Model

He had many hardships in life. In 1953, Vernon Baker was relegated to the enlisted ranks despite his devotion towards his duty. However, he kept on serving in the army and one day his efficiency catapulted him to the rank of Master Sergeant. In 1968 he retired from the army and began to serve as a Red Cross counselor for underprivileged military families.

Serving His Country After Service

Baker’s personal life was also full of tragedies. He lost his first wife to death in 1968. However, the father of three children had his happiness returned to him when he married Heidy, a German tourist.

A Hero Makes History

And After about fifty-two years of World War II, finally, Berker was going to be awarded the medal he deserved the most. President Bill Clinton celebrated the incredible bravery of Berker by awarding him with Medal of Honor. It was a very emotional moment for Berker. Visibly, a drop of tear trickled down his left cheek. Later on, he shared his sentiments to the world by delivering a speech on that special day.  

A Heroic Moment

It was a very picturesque moment. The Marine Corps band began to play “God Bless America” and was awarded standing ovation when he got into the East Room of the White House. Baker expressed his emotion by saying “I was thinking about what was going on up on the hill that day,” he later added  “I was an angry young man. We were all angry. But we had a job to do, and we did it. My personal thoughts were that I knew things would get better, and I’m glad to say that I’m here to see it.”  

A Revered Place In History

Along with being the highest military awardee, in the five decades, he also was the first African American to get medalled for this prestigious award. 

A Lone Legend

Baker was one of seven African African having received Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton. Unfortunately, the other six were awarded the medal posthumously as some of them had died with their shoes on or in an accident. The other recipients were Charles L. Thomas, Willy F. James, Jr., John R. Fox, Edward A. Carter, George Watson, Ruben Rivers.