The Courageous Stand of Sergeant Thomas Baker
Thomas Baker enlisted from Troy, New York in 1940 as a private. Four years later on Saipan, he faced down five thousand screaming Japanese soldiers in the war’s biggest banzai attack.
Severely wounded and out of ammo, Baker asked his men to prop him against a tree facing the enemy. He wanted just two things: a cigarette and a pistol with eight rounds.
American troops found him that afternoon, still sitting where they left him, surrounded by eight dead Japanese fighters. Here’s how a small-town soldier became a Medal of Honor legend, remembered at his headstone in Saratoga National Cemetery.
Baker Blasted Enemy Strongpoint with Solo Bazooka Charge
Private Thomas Baker ran alone toward enemy fire on June 19, 1944, with just a bazooka. His Company A got stuck, pinned down by heavy Japanese fire on Saipan.
Through a storm of bullets aimed at him, Baker got within 100 yards of the enemy position and took it out with one perfect shot. This brave solo attack let his whole company move forward and take the ridge.
Hidden Japanese Pockets Fell to Baker’s Sharp Eye
Baker stepped up to guard his company’s back against surprise attacks.
While checking the area, he found two fortified enemy positions with twelve Japanese soldiers, including two officers. Most men would have called for backup, but not Baker.
He attacked alone and killed all twelve enemy fighters. His quick thinking meant American troops could move forward without worrying about threats from behind.
Six More Enemy Soldiers Never Made It Home
Five hundred yards further along, Baker spotted six more Japanese soldiers who had sneaked behind American lines. These infiltrators posed a serious threat to US troops.
Baker took them all out quickly. His keen awareness of his surroundings and combat skills proved vital for protecting his fellow soldiers.
The Japanese strategy of sending small groups behind enemy lines failed thanks to Baker’s watchfulness.
Sake-Fueled Soldiers Prepared for One Final Attack
Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saito gathered nearly 4,300 Japanese fighters on July 6, 1944. This force included soldiers, wounded men, and even some civilians.
They spent the evening drinking beer and sake, getting ready for what they knew would be their final battle. Saito ordered his troops to follow the concept of gyokusai, choosing death over surrender.
The Japanese commander wanted his men to die like a “broken jewel” rather than face defeat.
Thousands of Screaming Japanese Soldiers Charged at Dawn
The largest banzai attack of World War II began at 4:45 AM on July 7, 1944.
Thousands of Japanese troops came screaming out of the early morning darkness, crashing into the US Army’s 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 105th Infantry Regiment.
Over 4,000 Japanese fighters launched this suicidal charge against three American divisions. The human wave of attackers created chaos as they overwhelmed American positions.
Wounded Baker Kept Fighting at Point-Blank Range
Sergeant Baker got badly hurt during the first wave of the attack but refused to leave his position. He kept firing at the charging Japanese soldiers, sometimes at distances as close as 5 yards.
Despite painful injuries from grenade shrapnel, Baker stood his ground and continued to fight. Other wounded men retreated, but Baker stayed put, facing wave after wave of attackers.
His Rifle Broke from Hand-to-Hand Combat
Baker fired until he ran out of ammo as Japanese forces swarmed his position. His rifle eventually became useless, battered beyond repair from intense hand-to-hand fighting.
The close combat bent and broke his weapon as he used it to defend himself. Baker fought with whatever he could grab as the battle turned into a desperate struggle to stay alive.
Baker Refused Help to Save His Friend’s Life
A fellow soldier carried Baker about 50 yards toward safety but then got shot himself. Seeing his rescuer wounded, Baker refused to go any further.
He told his comrades he would rather die than risk more of their lives trying to save him.
Even in his final moments, he put others before himself, knowing the odds of survival were slim for anyone caught in the open.
A Cigarette, Eight Bullets, and a Tree for His Final Stand
At Baker’s request, his comrades propped him against a small tree facing the enemy. They gave him a cigarette and a pistol with eight rounds.
As his friends reluctantly left him behind, Baker sat calmly smoking, pistol in hand, ready for whatever came next. Baker knew he couldn’t escape but chose to face the enemy one last time rather than try to flee.
Every Shot Found Its Mark in Baker’s Last Fight
American forces found Baker’s body later that day, still sitting against the tree. His pistol was empty, and eight dead Japanese soldiers lay on the ground in front of him.
Each of his final eight bullets had hit its target. Even in his wounded state, Baker’s aim never faltered.
The scene told the story of a man who fought to his very last breath.
The Price of Victory on Saipan’s Bloody Sands
The banzai attack nearly wiped out the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 105th Infantry Regiment. American forces suffered 406 killed and 512 wounded in the massive assault.
The Japanese lost even more, with 4,311 troops killed during the July 7 attack. Baker received a posthumous promotion to sergeant and the Medal of Honor on May 9, 1945.
The battle for Saipan ended soon after the attack, but the cost in human lives proved staggering for both sides in what became one of the Pacific War’s bloodiest engagements.
Visiting Thomas Alexander Baker Jr’s Gravestone at The Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
You can visit Sergeant Thomas Baker’s grave at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on 200 Duell Road in Schuylerville, New York. The 351.7-acre cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk with no entrance fees.
Baker earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic last stand during Saipan’s largest banzai attack, killing eight Japanese soldiers with eight bullets. You can bring natural cut flowers to place on his grave anytime.
This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.
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