[Vision2020] Idaho Road is Renamed After MoH Recipient

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the Army Times at:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/12/ap-military-road-renamed-after-vernon-baker-122910/

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Idaho road is renamed after MoH recipient

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Officials in northern Idaho have approved the
naming of a road after a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient
who lived in St. Maries until his death in July at age 90.

Kootenai County commissioners on Tuesday christened the road as Vernon J.
Baker Boulevard. It’s a portion of a road that runs parallel to U.S.
Highway 95.

“Oh, I can’t believe it. That is such an honor,” said Baker’s widow, Heidy
Baker. “This is absolutely wonderful. I thank everyone who was involved. I
thank everyone for this.”

Baker was the last surviving black Medal of Honor winner from World War
II. He belatedly received the military’s top award from President Clinton
in 1997 after historians concluded he’d been wrongly denied because of his
race.

The section of road named after Baker is north of Hayden.

“It is something that we wanted to accomplish,” said Commissioner Rick
Currie. “My only problem with it is, ‘Why do we always wait until they’ve
passed away when we do these things?’ He’s very deserving, and it should
have been done while he was still with us.”

Baker received the Medal of Honor for his actions during a battle near
Viareggio, Italy, in April 1945, leading his company’s attack in
mountainous terrain against an entrenched enemy. Officials say he crawled
forward and destroyed six machine gun nests, two observer pots and four
dugouts, allowing his company to press forward.

The next night he volunteered to lead a battalion through enemy mine
fields and heavy fire.

Baker is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker

http://www.armytimes.com/xml/news/2010/12/ap-military-road-renamed-after-vernon-baker-122910/110910ap_moh_vernon_baker_800.JPG

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1st Lt. Vernon Baker

http://www.thegrio.com/assets_c/2010/07/Vernon_Baker_medal_of_honor_recipient_dies-thumb-400xauto-11167.jpg

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown