Private Thomas Baker landed on Saipan with the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in June 1944. His unbelievable courage quickly revealed itself when he met the Japanese.
When his entire company was stopped by machine guns in fortified enemy positions, Baker grabbed a bazooka and moved alone to within 100 yards of the enemy. Though making himself the singular target of enemy fire, Baker destroyed the stronghold and enabled his company to continue the advance.
As they moved across the island, Baker volunteered to remain at the rear of the column protecting against surprise attacks from any concealed enemy bypassed by the main force.
He came across three different pockets of enemy soldiers waiting for the opportunity to attack. Baker killed all of them single-handedly, a total of 18 men, before they could do any harm.
On July 7, 1944, the Japanese launched their final attempt to stop the Americans. Nearly 5000 Japanese soldiers assaulted across the front in a banzai charge. Baker was severely wounded in the initial stages of the fight, but remained on the front line.
He fired his rifle until he ran out of ammo, then used the weapon as a club in hand-to-hand combat until it was so damaged it could no longer operate as a rifle. Another soldier carried Baker 50 yards to the rear until he was wounded and dropped Baker.
Baker refused to be moved any further, preferring to die rather than have another soldier risk their lives to save him. Another withdrawing soldier passed and propped Baker against a tree.
He left Baker with a pistol containing 8 rounds. When the attack finally ended, the soldiers returned to locate Baker’s body. He was found in the same position, propped up against the tree.
He still clutched the empty pistol in his hand. Eight dead Japanese lay around him. For his incredible heroism and unselfish actions, Baker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was 28 years old.
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