Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    7th Engineer Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 18 & November 3 – 4, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 37 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class John T. Baker (ASN: 915250), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 7th Engineers, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Brieulles, France, 18 October and 3 – 4 November 1918. On 18 October Sergeant Baker, with a detail of 19 men, carrying wire for wiring in outposts, followed the infantry through the Bois-de-Rappe, where he employed his men as infantry to assist in holding the captured position. Later he wired in four outposts in direct view of and under heavy fire from the enemy. On November 3 and 4 he succeeded several times in laying foot bridges across the Meuse, under heavy fire, allowing the infantry to cross to the east bank.