[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 9 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H92-H93]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO ARMY MASTER SERGEANT JOHN F. BAKER, JR.
(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last Friday retired Army
Master Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., a recipient of the Medal of Honor,
died at the age of 66.
Master Sergeant Baker was a native of Davenport, Iowa, before
relocating to South Carolina. My thoughts and prayers are with his
wife, Donnell, and the Baker family. Master Sergeant Baker served in
Vietnam and received the Medal of Honor after braving intense Communist
fire to safe the lives of eight American soldiers on November 5, 1966.
Master Sergeant Baker was one of 239 servicemembers to receive our
Nation's highest honor for conspicuous gallantry and courage during
their service in the Vietnam War. He was also the last Army soldier to
be awarded the Medal of Honor and have residency in South Carolina.
Our country is very grateful for the service of Master Sergeant John
Baker. He went well beyond the call of duty, sacrificing so much for
this great Nation, and will be remembered as a true
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American hero, along with the late Colonel Chuck Murray of Columbia.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
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