Distinguished Service Cross Baker, Walter L.
Rank and organization: Specialist Four, U.S. Army Company A 3nd Battalion, 7rd Infantry, 199th LIB
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam 24 April 1968
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Baker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 April 1968 as a rifleman on a reconnaissance-in-force mission twelve mile notheast of Bien Hoa. when his company encountered an estimated battalion of well-entrenched North Vietnamese Regulars, his platoon was pinned down by intense enemy automatic weapons and rocket fire. Courageously moving through a hail of enemy bullets, Specialist Baker silenced one hostile emplacement with rifle fire. As he advanced toward a second bunker, he was wounded in the leg and back by an enemy sniper. As he lay on the battlefield, he saw communist troops setting up a machine gun on a trail facing his platoon. Ignoring his painful wounds, he assaulted the machine gun position, eliminating it with rifle fire and grenades. Despite seven additional wounds received during this attack, he succeeded in capturing the enemy position. He then called to his comrades to follow him. As they advanced, he used the captured machine gun to lay down a heavy base of fire on the Nort Vietnamese. Only after he had shown members of his platoon the location of other hostile emplacements did he allow himself to be evacuated. His valliant actions allowed his comrades to move into the bunker complex and completely rout the aggressors from their positions. Specialist Four Baker's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.