The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) has released the latest installment of their incredibly popular series of graphic novels about Medal of Honor recipients. This issue is about Vernon Baker, who single-handedly cleaned out Nazi pillboxes and bunkers in Italy.
Initially turned down by the Army, he was later recruited to be an officer in the 92nd Infantry Division. During World War II the military was still segregated and Baker served as one of the now-famous Buffalo soldiers.
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Baker hit the ground in Naples in 1944 and saw action as a lieutenant platoon leader through that summer. By 1945, his platoon was tasked with removing a Nazi redoubt at castle Aghinolfi along the Gothic Line.
Spotting the sun glint off something up ahead during their infiltration, Baker moved forward on his own and single-handedly took out a Nazi observation post. Correctly surmising that the OP served a machine gun position, he identified and cleaned out that position as well.
Pushing towards the castle, Baker eliminated another bunker before his platoon came under heavy mortar fire. Enemy machine guns and snipers also wore down the platoon until only a half dozen men remained in the fight. Baker and the survivors had to withdrawal return with more troops the following day to finish the job.
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Awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, nearly 70 years later his award was re-examined as questions arose as to why there were no African-American Medal of Honor recipients during World War II. Baker's award was subsequently upgraded and presented to him in 1997 by then President Clinton.
Interested readers can pick up a complimentary copy of the graphic novel at the AUSA website.