Not the Only Delayed Dedication

We all know now that William Crawford was a legend, but he was not the only man to be recognized years after his services in World War II. There have been more than a few people like him. Nonetheless, these people prove that staying humble and just focusing on one’s task is a virtue which is respected by all.

Heartwarming Tale of Another Hero

Luckily, we have another inspirational tale at your disposal. This is about a man named Vernon Baker who hailed from Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born in the year 1919 and was the youngest of the three children his parents had. It was their grandparents who took care of them when a car accident proved to be the reason for the death of their parents. Baker aged four at that time but stayed strong and went on to complete his graduation from a high school in Clarinda, Iowa. He went on to do a string of menial jobs but had the innate passion of serving in the U.S. Army. Consequently, he got himself enrolled in the U.S. Army in the year 1941. A major evidence of his strong desire is that a rejection at the very beginning by the recruiter saying  “We don’t have any quotas for you people,” didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams.

Determined for Duty

The incident of him getting enlisted after giving it a try at the office of a different recruiter truly justifies the statement ” Fortune Favors The Brave”. Vernon was a highly ambitious man, this gets proved from the fact that he was so eager to go up the ranks that he made a request to the officials to make him a quartermaster. Obviously, the request was not granted and he had to remain content with the post of an infantry soldier. Nobody had even the slightest idea that the man was destined to do great things for the nation, stories of which would pass on from generation to generation.

Sent to Serve

Coincidentally, Baker joined the army just six months before the entry of U.S. into the world war. Through the increasing tension of the war spreading across Europe, Baker saw himself being appointed as a second lieutenant in the year 1943. Just a year after that he was stationed in Italy among the famous 92nd Infantry Division amidst the war. Baker didn’t lose hope even after getting an arm injury and came back again to fight for his country in the year 1944. It was from here that his life transformed completely.

A Bold Leader in Battle

Castle Aghinolfi high located in Italy’s Apennine Mountains was a spot of utmost importance for the Germans strategically. The Allied forces desperately wanted to take control of the castle. This is where Baker along with his 25 infantrymen on April 5, 1945, came in action and fearlessly dodged snipers, barbed wires, and mines to reach a position extremely close to the Castle in control of the Germans.

Single-Handedly Saving the Day

The major factor in the success of the platoon was the shrewd and brave leadership of Vernon Baker. But, if you think after gaining control of a good spot on the mountain Vernon stopped, then you are totally wrong. As he went on to completely destroy a machine gun position, two German bunkers, two enemy observation posts, and a network of Third Reich telephone lines single-handedly.