![]() ![]() ![]() In April 1945, he was back in action and sent to storm Castle Aghinolfi, which was a heavily fortified German artillery post. In command of a weapons platoon in the 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division, the famed Buffalo Soldiers, Baker was sent to Italy in 1944, where he was wounded near Naples. Bakerīaker enlisted in 1941 but was an infantry officer by 1943. Thomas received the Distinguished Service Cross, survived the war and died of cancer in 1980. His platoon was the first Black unit to be awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation, and its soldiers received four Silver Stars and nine Bronze Stars. They fought for four hours before the Germans were forced to fall back. Thomas briefed a junior officer on their situation and ensured his platoon could hold its position before allowing himself to be evacuated. He still directed his anti-tank platoon in placing their guns and returning fire effectively. Wounded, Thomas helped his crew out of the wreck before he was hit again in the chest, legs and arm by small arms fire.
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