I recall reading his story when I was a kid. This portion stuck with me:
At his request, his comrades left him propped against a tree and gave him a pistol, which had eight bullets remaining. When American forces retook the position, they found the pistol, then empty, and eight dead Japanese soldiers around Baker’s body.[2]
At some point, I want to get a military handgun marksmanship award named in honor of Sgt Thomas A. Baker. I’m in a position, oddly, where I will probably be working with people that could make that happen. This is a public reminder to me to get it done!