Serial # 273620
Onamia, Minnesota
Awarded the Silver Star for actions on Tarawa:
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 0647 (February 23, 1944)
CITATION:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Donald L. Baker, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. With our troops pinned down by shattering hostile machine gun and sniper fire during a perilous engagement, Technical Sergeant Baker fearlessly faced the withering barrage to launch his bold, determined demolition and flame thrower attacks neutralizing three of the Japanese pillboxes and enabling the advance to continue. Pursuing his same daring tactics throughout a three-day period of bitter hostilities, he aggressively led his demolition units in wiping out Japanese dugout and pill box resistance in the area, contributing essentially to the success of our operations against this heavily-fortified stronghold. By his courageous initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, Technical Sergeant Baker served as an inspiration to his men and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
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Created 1 February 2020
