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Clyde D. Baker, now living in St. Louis, was a
private first class in the Army, serving with the 509 Para-infantry Battalion. He served in Europe from 1943-45.
A newspaper report of the day says Baker, the
son of Noah Baker of Farmington, formerly of Rivermines is home on a 60 day furlough. He received his paratrooper wings and was shipped
overseas and participated in the battle of Anzio Beach head.
There he was wounded by shrapnel and received the Purple Heart and the
Presidential Citation. He was wounded and
taken prisoner Christmas Day in Belgium and liberated by the Russians.
While serving in North Africa, Baker says,
"I met up with my brother in October of 1943. Another
interesting thing was I met Joe McCord, who was a friend and we graduated together, while
I was in Naples, Italy.
"Also while stationed in Italy, a small boy about 8 years old adopted us as his family. He was missing his right foot. Our outfit pooled our resources and had him fitted with a new limb. We also got him a uniform, including boots. We named him Charlie. Some years ago he visited the United States."
