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 Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] James F. Baker (ASN: 37697063), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on in Germany, 28 January 1945. On that date, during an attack on enemy positions near Welchemhausen, Germany, when Sergeant Baker’s Platoon Leader became a casualty, he assumed command, rallied his inexperienced men and courageously led them forward in the face of withering enemy machine gun fire. Fearlessly exposing himself to fierce hostile fire he crawled fifty yards towards the enemy machine gun nest, killed several of the crew with rifle-grenades and gallantly leaped to his feet, charged the position and captured the remainder of the enemy crew. Staff Sergeant Baker’s heroic, aggressive actions and intrepid leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.