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H. 5280

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\21263sd04.doc

Introduced in the House on May 19, 2004
Introduced in the Senate on May 19, 2004
Adopted by the General Assembly on May 19, 2004

Summary: John F. Baker, Jr.

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   5/19/2004  House   Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-8
   5/19/2004  Senate  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-10

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/19/2004

TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN F. BAKER, JR., A NATIVE OF IOWA AND A RESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR VALOR DURING THE VIETNAM CONFLICT, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and

Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and

Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and

Whereas, Army Private First Class John F. Baker, Jr., is one of these heroes who fortunately is with us today; and

Whereas, on November 5, 1966, in Tay Ninh Province in Vietnam near the Cambodian border, part of PFC Baker's company had been ordered to assist another company that was pinned down by the Vietcong, whose numbers had been growing throughout the battle; and

Whereas, by the time his company arrived late on November fourth and set up for the night, there were three thousand enemy soldiers in the area; and

Whereas, PFC Baker's unit moved out at dawn to relieve its embattled sister company. As he entered the dense jungle, Baker could not see the enemy but knew they were near. Then machine gun and mortar fire broke out from Vietcong soldiers who had tied themselves onto the limbs of trees and hidden in a concrete bunker complex in the thick undergrowth. When Baker saw the lead man in his column go down, he immediately moved up and with another soldier charged two of the bunkers from where the heaviest fire was coming; and

Whereas, the man with him was shot, his arm hanging by a shred of flesh. In an effort to protect him, PFC Baker killed four enemy snipers, then dragged his mortally wounded comrade to safety; and

Whereas, after grabbing more ammunition, Baker then attacked another bunker, killing several more Vietcong with one of his men being wounded. As he was trying to evacuate the fallen soldier, they both came under fire from more snipers. Baker shot four of them. Finally out of ammunition, he dragged two more GIs off the battlefield; and

Whereas, at the end of the two-hour-long battle, he had killed ten Vietcong, destroyed six machine-gun bunkers, and saved eight of his comrades; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor Private First Class John F. Baker, Jr., this brave and courageous American, for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of America. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of Army Private First Class John F. Baker, Jr., a native of Iowa and a resident of South Carolina, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during the Vietnam Conflict, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Army Private First Class John F. Baker, Jr.

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