Half a century is a long time to wait to be noticed. Imagine how
Vernon Baker felt when he was finally recognized for his bravery during World War II by
being awarded the Medal of Honor more than 50 years after he served in the U.S.
Army.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award a person who has
served in the armed forces can receive. This medal is awarded to those who showed personal
bravery in action while serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and, in times
of war, the Coast Guard.
What makes Bakers medal so special? While Baker, now
79, was only one of more than 11/2 million African-American soldiers
who fought in World War II, he became the first living African American to receive the
Medal of Honor for service in World War II. It was placed around his neck at a White House
ceremony in January 1997.
Baker served in Italy as a lieutenant in the Armys
all-black 92nd Infantry, known as the Buffalo Division. His medal was awarded for bravery
during a battle at Castle Aghinolfi, a Nazi stronghold in Italy, April 5, 1945.
Six other African-American soldiers were awarded the Medal
of Honor posthumously at the same ceremony: Edward A. Carter Jr., John R. Fox, Willy F.
James Jr., Ruben Rivers, Charles L. Thomas and George Watson.
African-American soldiers faced much discrimination during
World War II. They lived in segregated housing and fought together in segregated units. It
was this discrimination that was responsible for the lack of black Medal of Honor
awardees, according to a panel of military historians who were asked to examine the
problem. The panel members chose Baker and the other six men to receive the honor.
What did Baker have to say about his long wait for his
medal?
"I used to be an angry young man, but Im not
angry anymore."