CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A simple act of curiosity led to a heartfelt tribute when a Cheyenne resident discovered that the grandparents of Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker lay in unmarked graves at Lakeview Cemetery. Now, thanks to community support and donations, Joseph and Dora Baker’s final resting place has a proper headstone.
Becky Poch, a Cheyenne resident, was inspired after reading “Lasting Valor,” Vernon Baker’s memoir detailing his experiences as a Black soldier in World War II. The book recounts Baker’s struggles against racism, his extraordinary heroism in combat and the delayed recognition of his bravery. Moved by his story, Poch wanted to learn more about his roots in Cheyenne and decided to visit Lakeview Cemetery to locate his grandparents’ graves.
With the help of cemetery staff, Joan Baker — no relation — found their burial sites in Lot 1822, spaces G and H, but was surprised to see they were unmarked. Reflecting on the kind of man Joseph Baker must have been to raise Vernon, Poch mentioned the absence of a headstone to her husband Larry Poch. That conversation sparked a chain reaction. Her husband, in turn, brought it up to former Cheyenne City Councilmember Richard Johnson, and in true Wyoming fashion, the community came together to fix the issue.
The City of Cheyenne Cemetery Division donated the granite for the headstone, while Landmark Monuments generously donated its time and resources to clean, engrave and place the stone. The effort began in September 2024, and on Jan. 3 the headstone was set in place, ensuring that Joseph and Dora Baker’s names are now permanently memorialized.
“I just thought it would be nice for there to be a marker, but they put in a headstone, which is beautiful,” Becky said.
A legacy of valor
Born in Cheyenne on Dec. 17, 1919, Vernon Baker was raised by his grandparents after his parents died in a car accident. He went on to serve in World War II with the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.” His courageous actions during the Italian Campaign led to him receiving the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945. However, it took more than 50 years for his heroism to receive full recognition, according to the National Parks Service, which runs the Charles Young Buffalo Soldier National Monument in Ohio.
In the early 1990s, a military review determined that Black soldiers had been unfairly overlooked for the Medal of Honor during World War II. After a reassessment, Baker’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded, and in 1997 President Bill Clinton awarded him the Medal of Honor, making him the only living Black WWII veteran to receive the distinction.
Baker’s Medal of Honor citation highlights his extraordinary bravery during an assault on Castle Aghinolfi in Italy:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945.
At 0500 hours on 5 April 1945, Lieutenant Baker advanced at the head of his weapons platoon, along with Company C’s three rifle platoons, towards their objective; Castle Aghinolfi — a German mountain strong point on the high ground just east of the coastal highway and about two miles from the 370th infantry Regiment’s line of departure. Moving more rapidly than the rest of the company, Lieutenant Baker and about 25 men reached the south side of a draw some 250 yards from the castle within two hours.
In reconnoitering for a suitable position to set up a machine gun, Lieutenant Baker observed two cylindrical objects pointing out of a slit in a mount at the edge of a hill. Crawling up and under the opening, he stuck his M-1 into the slit and emptied the clip, killing the observation post’s two occupants. Moving to another position in the same area, Lieutenant Baker stumbled upon a well-camouflaged machine gun nest, the crew of which was eating breakfast. He shot and killed both enemy soldiers.
After Captain John F. Runyon, Company C’s Commander joined the group, a German soldier appeared from the draw and hurled a grenade which failed to explode. Lieutenant Baker shot the enemy soldier twice as he tried to flee. Lieutenant Baker then went down into the draw alone. There he blasted open the concealed entrance of another dugout with a hand grenade, shot one German soldier who emerged after the explosion, tossed another grenade into the dugout and entered firing his sub-machine gun, killing two more Germans.
As Lieutenant Baker climbed back out of the draw, enemy machine gun and mortar fire began to inflict heavy casualties among the group of 25 soldiers, killing or wounding about two-thirds of them. When expected reinforcements did not arrive, Captain Runyon ordered a withdrawal in two groups. Lieutenant Baker volunteered to cover the withdrawal of the first group, which consisted mostly of walking wounded, and to remain to assist in the evacuation of the more seriously wounded.
During the second group’s withdrawal, Lieutenant Baker, supported by covering fire from one of his platoon members, destroyed two machine gun positions (previously bypassed during the assault) with hand grenades.
In all, Lieutenant Baker accounted for nine enemy dead soldiers, elimination of three machine gun positions, an observation post, and a dugout. On the following night, Lieutenant Baker voluntary led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective.
Lieutenant Baker’s fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the military service. Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Baker continued his service in the U.S. Army, becoming a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division and serving in the Korean War. He retired in 1968 and later worked for the Red Cross. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 90 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
For those involved in placing the new headstone, the effort was about more than just marking a grave — it was about ensuring the legacy of a family that shaped one of Cheyenne’s most distinguished sons.
Nathan Chapman, Cemetery Division manager for the City of Cheyenne, confirmed the process began in September last year and culminated with the headstone placement in early January. Chapman and cemetery staff also offered assistance to anyone wishing to locate the Baker family gravesite.
Thanks to Becky Poch’s curiosity, a simple observation led to an effort that honored not just Joseph and Dora Baker, but also the history and contributions of Vernon Baker and his family. The new headstone now stands as a testament to their legacy, ensuring they are remembered for generations to come.
“It took a long time for him and his family to be recognized but they certainly deserve to be,” Larry said.
