German troops occupied Castle Aghinolfi, a mountain stronghold near the Italian town of Viareggio. Aghinolfi overlooked key mountain passes. Capturing the castle would break this formidable German defensive position and help fulfill the overall allied objective of driving the German military from Italy. Before the attack commenced an inexperienced white officer took over his company, and Lt. Baker became a platoon commander. The battle began very badly for the Americans and Baker’s commander said he was going for reinforcements, when he was actually running away. He never did return for reinforcements when he reached the American lines because he said the situation was hopeless and reinforcements would be futile. However, Baker’s actions, as stated in the citation, weakened German machine gun defenses and also cut their communication lines that directed deadly defensive gunfire. Baker had, in effect, cleared the way for taking the castle, but since his commander did not bring the promised reinforcements, Baker, practically out of ammunition, had to withdraw. The Americans did take the castle the next day without firing a shot. Nineteen men in his unit had perished.

In 1992, responding to pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus, the army commissioned a study to ascertain why no African Americans soldiers had earned the Medal of Honor during World War II and looked at the records of those earning the Distinguished Service Cross. Baker, along with six other blacks, received the Medal of Honor. President Bill Clinton made the presentation to Baker on January 13, 1997.