Medal of Honor: John F. Baker Jr. – Vietnam War, November 5, 1966

John Franklin Baker Jr.
Sergeant (then Private First Class), U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 5, 1966
Location: Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
When Company A was ambushed en route to aid a beleaguered unit, the lead soldier was killed instantly. But from that chaos rose a man who would define what it means to lead from the front—Sergeant John F. Baker Jr.

Without hesitation, Baker moved into the kill zone. Charging forward with another soldier, he destroyed two enemy bunkers in close combat. When his comrade was struck and mortally wounded, Baker stayed. He eliminated four Viet Cong snipers threatening the evacuation, carried his fallen brother back under fire, then turned and rejoined the fight—again and again.

With ammunition running low and enemy bunkers still spitting fire, Baker advanced toward two more strongholds. A grenade explosion sent him to the ground, but he rose—bleeding, furious, and undeterred. He stormed one bunker alone, destroying it, then grabbed his wounded comrade’s machine gun and silenced the second.

Over the next hours, Baker evacuated multiple wounded soldiers while sustaining the assault. When the order to withdraw came, he carried one injured man to safety—then turned back, walking into sniper fire to rescue another. He killed the snipers, dragged the soldier out, and stayed to cover the company’s retreat.

Even with his ammunition gone, Baker made two more trips into the battlefield—pulling two fallen comrades from the jaws of death. His courage never wavered. His determination never broke.

John F. Baker Jr. didn’t just fight the enemy—he refused to leave anyone behind. His battlefield was not just one of combat, but of absolute commitment to his brothers-in-arms.

Medal of Honor Citation:
*"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While serving with Company A, Sergeant Baker distinguished himself when his unit was called to reinforce another company engaged in a fierce battle with a large enemy force. As they moved forward, the lead man was killed and the unit came under intense fire from enemy bunkers.

Sergeant Baker and another soldier moved to the front and destroyed two enemy bunkers. When his comrade was mortally wounded, Sergeant Baker eliminated four enemy snipers, carried his comrade to safety, and returned to continue the attack. Advancing on two more bunkers, he was knocked down by a grenade explosion but regained his footing, destroyed one bunker, and used his comrade’s machine gun to neutralize the second.

Throughout the engagement, Sergeant Baker repeatedly evacuated the wounded under fire, returned to the fight, and led repeated assaults against enemy positions. When ordered to withdraw, he carried a wounded man to safety, then returned—through sniper fire—to retrieve another. Only after rescuing both and covering the withdrawal did he stop. He then dragged two more comrades from the field, despite having expended all his ammunition.

His fearless actions and indomitable spirit saved multiple lives and inspired all who served with him. Sergeant Baker’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Army."*