The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with air operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, and Force Commander of sixteen F-105 Thunderchief aircraft in action over North Vietnam on 2 August 1967. On that date, Major Baker led a force through adverse weather, Surface-to-Air Missile threats, MiG threats and heavy anti-aircraft defenses, to successfully attack and destroy the Thai Nguyen thermal power plant, a vital facility comprising seventeen percent of the nation’s thermo-electric power. He courageously led the force into the heavy blanket of flak covering the target, and delivered his ordnance directly on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Baker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 23, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 23, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 31, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 3026432), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 31 August 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Baker resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Bac Nhin, North Vietnam, on 8 August 1967. As element leader of a flight of F-105’s, Major Baker helped navigate the flight through extreme weather, led his element through intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire and placed his bombs on target, rendering a vital bridge unserviceable and causing a very large secondary explosion. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Baker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 21 June 1967. On that date, Major Baker successfully attacked the heavily defended Kep railroad yard. Despite intense ground fire encountered during all stages of the attack, Major Baker calmly and with extreme concentration led his element to the target and successfully destroyed a large portion of the yard, without the loss of a single aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Baker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1967 to May 1972. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 5 July 1967. On that date, Major Baker encountered extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire as he attacked his assigned target disregarding the fact that three aircraft were hit and downed by the ground fire. Completely disregarding the heavy flak and possibility of being hit Major Baker continued his dive run and delivered his ordinance directly on the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Baker reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Baker and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1967 to December 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period from September 1967 to December 1969. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 23, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with air operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Bac Giang, North Vietnam on 23 August 1967. On that date, Major Baker led the first element of F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers against the heavily defended Bac Giang railroad and highway bridge. Major Baker’s excellent positioning of his element for its bombing attack, his total disregard for his own personal safety during the intensive anti-aircraft fire, and his unerring delivery of his ordnance after having sustained a direct hit on his aircraft, contributed immeasurably toward the complete success of the mission. In addition, his humanitarian concern for the safety of the civilian population of a hostile nation was exemplified when Major Baker flew his burning aircraft toward uninhabited terrain prior to bailing out. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Baker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 11, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Elmo Clinnard Baker (AFSN: 0-3026432), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with air operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over a heavily defended area of North Vietnam on 11 August 1967. On that date, Major Baker led a flight of four F-105 Thunderchiefs on a strike against the most vital railroad/highway bridge in North Vietnam linking important transportation routes from Hanoi to China. Major Baker led his flight on a successful bomb run resulting in the complete destruction of the center span of the bridge. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Major Baker has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.