War tales commemorate U.S. heroism
I’ve always thought it ironic that everyone called my grandfather “Captain Baker” after his honorary title in the Houston Light Guards, a social club. And yet, his son was known by his colleagues as “Junior” although he was a decorated World War I hero who achieved the rank of captain.
Not to take anything away from my grandfather, who played a critical role in the development of Houston, but my father — James A. Baker, Jr. — was a real Captain Baker.
As we reflect on the 100th anniversary of the end one of the most brutal episodes in history, the story of my father is one of bravery and love of country. His military service during that conflict represented the efforts of millions of American soldiers — including 116,516 who died protecting freedom in Europe.
This tale of my father is told with the assistance of my law partner, Bill Kroger, who has written an article about the lawyers and their families in Baker Botts who served in World War I.
In the spring of 1917, Dad had much to look forward to as he took classes at The University of Texas School of Law and prepared for work at the family law firm. He intended to marry Bonner Means, who described the moment she saw him as “love at first sight.”
All of that changed on April 6, when the United States entered World War I and Dad quickly enlisted. He and Bonner upped their wedding date to Aug. 4 and then he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 359th Infantry, part of the 90th Division of the U. S. Army. A citizen soldier, his training consisted of only a few weeks at 1st Officers Training Camp at Leon Springs in San Antonio.
The 359th Infantry saw heavy action in Northeastern France during the St. Mihiel Offensive led by General John “Black Jack” Pershing. The tank battalions were led by a young Lt. Col. George S. Patton, Jr.
In a letter he sent back home, Dad described his unit as “shock troops,” meaning that “we get more fighting and a better chance of getting killed than the others.” He was homesick—he told his mother in another letter, “I believe Houston is about as near Paradise as I ever want to be again.”
Dad’s commander described my father as aggressive during his nightly patrols, and he regularly returned with German captives. According to the official history of the 90th Division: “One morning, about 3 a.m., after an unsuccessful patrol had returned to our line, Colonel Sterling directed that another patrol be sent out. Lieutenant Baker was given this patrol and returned before daylight with prisoners.”
From there, Dad’s unit approached Verdun, France, where the 90th Division participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. More Americans were killed in that offensive than during any other battle in either the American Civil War or the two World Wars.
In a letter to my grandfather, Dad described the carnage he witnessed — his captain was seriously wounded, two lieutenants had been killed and two had been gassed. He was the only officer who had escaped unharmed. Because of the casualties, he led the depleted unit during the final weeks of the war.
Dad saw sights that he would never forget: two German soldiers cowering in a command post; a friend killed on Armistice Day while cleaning his rifle; the appalling conditions in the trenches.
After fighting until Armistice Day, Dad received a commendation for bravery, was promoted to Captain and finally returned to Texas to resume a life he had put on hold.
Today, I remain very proud of my father’s military service, although no more so than the sons and daughters of other Americans who have fought for their country.
On the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the war stories of my father and others are a reminder that when the United States is engaged on the world stage, we are a force for stability and peace. In the past century, we have fought and won two hot wars and a cold one, and as Gen. Colin Powell once said, the only thing we ever asked for was enough land to bury our dead.
Yes, we have made some mistakes along the way, in Vietnam and elsewhere. But that is no reason for our country to retreat from its leadership role on the global stage because perhaps the biggest lesson of World War I was that America’s turn inward in its aftermath led to the Great Depression and World War II. James A. Baker, III was the 61st U.S. secretary of state and is a senior partner with Baker Botts LLP.