MoH recipient remembered at Jackson service

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Friends, family and fellow military members gathered Friday to remember retired Army Master Sgt. John F. Baker Jr., who received the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of eight fellow soldiers in a 1966 firefight with the Viet Cong.

Baker died Jan. 20 at age 66 after collapsing at his home in Columbia. A caisson procession preceded the ceremony at the Fort Jackson Post Theater.

The Davenport, Iowa, native earned the nation’s highest award for valor in combat while serving as a private first class with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment.

After his unit was ambushed, Baker saved his comrades but also knocked out six Viet Cong machine gun bunkers and killed 10 enemy soldiers.

Army Lt. Gen. Robert Foley, who also received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the same battle, said Baker wasn’t just there for his fellow soldiers during that battle, but also throughout his life.

“Nobody had to explain to him the meaning of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These values were part of his basic character,” Foley said.

Baker was a frequent visitor to Fort Jackson and supported events on the Army training installation, said its commander, Maj. Gen. James Milano.

“We lost a true American hero who was a wonderful role model for all of us,” Milano said in a statement. “He exemplified the Army Values in all aspects of his life.”

According to Baker’s citation, his unit was attempting to assist another unit engaged with the Viet Cong. Baker’s company came under intense fire and the point man was killed.

“Sgt. Baker immediately moved to the head of the column and together with another soldier knocked out two enemy bunkers,” the citation said. “When his comrade was mortally wounded, Sgt. Baker, spotting four Viet Cong snipers, killed all of them, evacuated the fallen soldier and returned to lead repeated assaults against the enemy positions, killing several more Viet Cong.”

With another soldier, Baker attacked two more enemy bunkers as he and another soldier drew intense enemy fire.

“Sgt. Baker was blown from his feet by an enemy grenade,” the citation said. “He quickly recovered and single-handedly destroyed one bunker before the other soldier was wounded. Seizing his fallen comrade’s machine gun, Sgt. Baker charged through the deadly fusillade to silence the other bunker. He evacuated his comrade, replenished his ammunition and returned to the forefront to brave the enemy fire and continue the fight.”

Baker continued to rescue his fellow soldiers while still under fire. After he carried one wounded soldier to the rear, he returned to evacuate another, but came under sniper fire.

He moved to attack and kill the snipers, according to the citation’s account of the fight.

“After evacuating the wounded man, he returned to cover the deployment of the unit. His ammunition now exhausted, he dragged two more of his fallen comrades to the rear,” the citation said.

Baker is the second of Columbia’s Medal of Honor recipients to have passed away in recent months.

Retired Army Col. Charles P. Murray, passed away on Aug. 12 at the age of 89.

“Both of these heroes were great supporters of Fort Jackson,” Milano said. “I feel fortunate to have known them.”