As Memorial Day approaches, one cannot help but think of our men and women, who've worn the American uniform proudly, who are no longer with us today.

However, there are those who have been honored to receive the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor, or MOH, is the highest military honor, for those serving in the United States Military.

The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor by the President of the United States, in honor of the U.S. Congress to U.S. military personnel. Fortunately, we have some people from Cheyenne, who've actually received the medal for their duty, valor and honor of their country.

  • Vernon J. Baker - A Medal of Honor winner, serving in World War II. Baker was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming in the year 1919. He had lived with his grandparents in Cheyenne, after his parents died in an automobile accident. His grandfather worked the railroad here, but because of his strained relationship with his grandmother, moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be in Father Flanagan's Boys Home.

Baker enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry in 1941, where he was assigned to the all-black segregated 270th Regiment of the 92nd Infantry, fighting their way all the way north to Italy. In the spring of 1945, Baker was the only black officer in his company.

He was one of the most decorated black soldiers, who fought in the Mediterranean Sea earning: The Purple Heart, Distinguished Cross and Bronze Star. In 1997, then President Bill Clinton awarded Baker with the Medal of Honor.

  • Charles F. Carey - A Medal of Honor winner, who was killed in action (KIA), in World War II. Army Tech Sgt. Carey fought on the battlefield of Rimling, France during WWII and captured a few pistols while there.

Carey received the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. You can see the display of Carey's medals and pistols on display at the Wyoming Military Departments Joint Readiness Center, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

So this Memorial Day, let us remember these two brave men, who fought for freedom in our U.S. Armed Services. They are certainly Cheyenne's home town heroes.

 

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