James Baylor, 81, a U.S. Army Specialist in the 187th Infantry Regiment, was honored with more than 10 awards, including a Presidential Unit Citation for his heroism in the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
54 years after the Battle, the United States honored Baylor in DeSoto at city hall.
Somber and tearful moments throughout the ceremony were witnessed as Baylor received high praise from service members Lieutenant Joel Trautmann, Colonel Martin J. Bowling, and Lieutenant Colonel Retired Russell Hooper.
State Senator Royce West, Chief of Staff LaJuana D. Barton, and State Representative Carl Sherman were also in attendance to praise and recognize Baylor for his heroism.
Baylor is a member of the National Rakkasans Association, and Rakkasan means “falling down umbrella men,” which was given to the 187th during its tour in occupied Japan following World War II.