A Memorial Day Tribute To Wyoming’s Greatest Heroes
On Memorial Day, we honor the sacrifice of the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. Since World War I, 755 soldiers from Wyoming have died in battle.
129 men were lost in World War I. 421 men were lost in World War II. 62 men were lost in the Korean War. 120 men were lost in Vietnam. 1 man was lost in Desert Storm. 8 men were lost in Afghanistan. 14 men were lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom. All 755 of those men are heroes. Individually and collectively, they have left an enormous legacy in our state
Five Wyoming war heroes have been awarded the country's highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
1. Major William Edward Adams of Casper – Major Adams served as an Army helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. May 25, 1971, he volunteered to help rescue three injured soldiers from a base under attack. Facing enemy fire, Adams landed the aircraft and gathered the wounded. While departing the base, the helicopter was struck by anti-aircraft fire and eventually fell.
2. Sergeant Major Edward Lee Baker, Jr., of Laramie County - Sergeant Major Baker served in the Army’s 10th Calvary during the Spanish - American War. On July 1, 1898, he abandoned cover under enemy fire to rescue a fellow soldier who was drowning near Santiago, Cuba.
3. First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker of Cheyenne - Army Lieutenant Baker served in the weapons platoon of Company C in World War II. April 5, 1945, he led an attack against an entrenched German machine gun battalion in the mountains near Viareggio, Italy. After destroying three enemy emplacements, he covering the evacuation of wounded soldiers. The next day, Baker spearheaded an advance through a minefield and helped secure another objective under heavy fire.
4. Technical Sergeant Charles F. Carey, Jr., of Cheyenne - Army Sergeant Carey served in the 100th Infantry Division and the 397th Infantry. On January 8, 1945, his battalion was attacked by twelve German tanks in Rimling, France. Unarmed, he managed to rescue two squads and evacuated the wounded. He then led a charge against a house fortified by enemy snipers, entered alone and later emerged with 16 prisoners. The next day, he was struck by sniper fire while attempting to rescue four of his fellow soldiers.
5. Second Lieutenant Charles Duval Roberts of Cheyenne - Lieutenant Roberts served in the 17th Infantry during the Spanish - American War. On July 1, 1898, he led a rescue mission on the front lines of a battle in El Caney, Cuba, while facing heavy enemy fire.