Medal of Honor: Thomas A. Baker – World War II – June 19 to July 7, 1944

Name: Thomas A. Baker
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company A, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 19 – July 7, 1944
Location: Saipan, Mariana Islands

Summary of Action

During the Battle of Saipan, Sergeant Thomas A. Baker repeatedly displayed extraordinary courage over nearly three weeks of continuous combat.

Early in the campaign, his company was halted by intense rifle and machine-gun fire from heavily fortified Japanese positions dominating the battlefield.

Volunteering to act alone, Baker seized a bazooka and advanced to within approximately one hundred yards of the enemy through heavy fire.

His accurate attack destroyed the strongpoint, allowing his company to resume its advance and capture the ridge.

Several days later, while his company crossed open terrain vulnerable to surprise attack, Baker voluntarily remained behind to guard the rear.

During this mission he discovered two bypassed enemy strongholds occupied by two officers and ten soldiers.

Without waiting for assistance, he attacked and eliminated the entire force.

Continuing his patrol, he later found six additional Japanese soldiers hidden behind American lines and single-handedly killed them as well.

On 7 July 1944, Japanese forces estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000 men launched the largest banzai attack of the Pacific War against the American lines.

Although seriously wounded during the opening stages of the assault, Baker refused evacuation.

He continued firing at enemy soldiers at point-blank range, in some cases as close as five yards, until every round of ammunition had been expended.

After brutal hand-to-hand fighting left his weapon battered beyond use, a fellow soldier carried him approximately fifty yards toward the rear.

When the rescuer was also wounded, Baker refused to let anyone else risk his life for him.

He calmly insisted that he be left where he was.

Propped against a small tree, he requested only a pistol loaded with its remaining eight rounds.

His comrades reluctantly withdrew.

When American troops later returned, they found Baker exactly where they had left him.

His pistol was empty, and eight Japanese soldiers lay dead before his position.

Sergeant Thomas A. Baker's unwavering courage, devotion to his fellow soldiers, and willingness to sacrifice himself rather than endanger others remain among the most enduring examples of heroism in the history of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

BAKER, THOMAS A.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Saipan, Mariana Islands, 19 June to 7 July 1944.

Entered service at: Troy, New York.

Birth: Troy, New York.

G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 19 June to 7 July 1944.

When his entire company was held up by automatic-weapons and small-arms fire from strongly fortified enemy positions commanding the company’s advance, Sergeant (then Private) Baker voluntarily took a bazooka and dashed alone to within one hundred yards of the enemy.

Through heavy rifle and machine-gun fire directed at him, he destroyed the strongpoint, enabling his company to assault the ridge.

Some days later, while his company advanced across an open field flanked by concealed enemy positions, Sergeant Baker again voluntarily took a rear position to protect the company against surprise attack.

He encountered two heavily fortified enemy pockets manned by two officers and ten enlisted men that had been bypassed.

Without regard for the superior numbers, he attacked and killed them all.

Five hundred yards farther, he discovered six enemy soldiers concealed behind American lines and destroyed them as well.

On 7 July 1944, the perimeter of which Sergeant Baker was a part was attacked from three sides by between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese soldiers.

During the early stages of the attack, Sergeant Baker was seriously wounded but insisted on remaining in the line and continued firing upon the enemy at ranges as close as five yards until his ammunition was exhausted.

Without ammunition and with his own weapon battered beyond use during hand-to-hand combat, he was carried approximately fifty yards to the rear by a comrade who was then himself wounded.

Sergeant Baker refused to be moved farther, stating that he preferred to be left to die rather than risk the lives of any more of his friends.

At his request, he was placed in a sitting position against a small tree.

Another withdrawing soldier offered assistance, but Sergeant Baker refused, requesting only that he be given a soldier’s pistol with its remaining eight rounds of ammunition.

When last seen alive, Sergeant Baker was calmly facing the enemy, propped against the tree with pistol in hand.

Later his body was found in the same position, the pistol empty, with eight Japanese soldiers lying dead before him.

His deeds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.