Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Army Pfc. Cody A. Baker

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Cody A. Baker, 19, of Holton, Kan.

Pfc Baker was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.; died Aug. 3, 2011 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Pfc. Gil I. Morales Del Valle.


Holton soldier killed in Afghanistan
THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The Holton community is mourning the death of Pfc. Cody G. Baker, a 2010 graduate of Holton High School, who was killed while on duty with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan earlier this week.

A 19-year-old U.S. Army soldier from Holton and another member of his battalion were killed earlier this week while serving in Afghanistan, authorities said.

The Department of Defense identified the soldiers as Pfc. Cody G. Baker, a 2010 graduate of Holton High School, and Pfc. Gil I. Morales Del Valle, 21, of Jacksonville, Fla.

Authorities said the soldiers, both of whom were infantrymen, died Wednesday from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the Wardak province of Afghanistan.

Baker and Del Valle were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and were stationed at Fort Polk, La.

Holton High School principal Rod Wittmer, who is preparing for his second year at the helm of the school, said Friday afternoon that staff members were shocked and saddened at the news of the young soldier’s death.

Holton teachers remembered Baker as “very well liked and respected,” said Wittmer, who came to the school several months after Baker’s graduation.

Wittmer said staff members at the school respected the service Baker provided to his community and his country and that "our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Upon learning of his death, Baker’s friends prepared and posted a video tribute on YouTube. The video is available on CJOnline.com.

Many tributes also were posted on Baker’s Facebook page, with comments by fellow soldiers and friends from Holton.

“Americans are forever indebted to Pfc. Baker for his service to our country and sacrifice on our behalf,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said in a statement. “My heart goes out to his family as they mourn this tragic loss, and I ask all Kansans to join me in keeping his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Baker joined the Army in June 2010. After training at Fort Benning, Ga., he arrived at Fort Polk, La., in October 2010. Baker deployed with his unit in November 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Baker's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the NATO Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Army officials said Baker is survived by his mother and stepfather.

Army Pfc. Cody A. Baker was killed in action on 8/03/11.

No comments: