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Harvey Lee Baker was a embellished Vietnam Battle veteran credited with saving the lives of two fellow Marines.
“He was a battle hero, and he was murdered,” Baker’s daughter, Nicole Folger, advised The Capital-Journal.
Baker, 74, was discovered deceased Thursday at a North Topeka cellular house park.
Vicki Lee Shelton, 61, was being held on a $1 million bond in reference to intentional and premeditated first-degree homicide Sunday morning on the Shawnee County Jail.
No formal costs have been filed.
‘Intercepted the attacker and killed the person in hand-to-hand fight’
Baker obtained a Silver Star for valor displayed on Feb. 26, 1969, whereas serving in Vietnam, Folger advised The Capital-Journal on Saturday in a telephone name from her house in Burlington, Okla.
Baker, who was a personal top notch within the Marines, was collaborating on the time in a search and destroy operation in a dense jungle space, in accordance with his quotation.
Heavy small arms fireplace and anti-personnel mines detonated by a North Vietnamese Military unit, which was occupying a well-concealed place, mortally wounded two of the Marines who have been with Baker whereas significantly injuring two others, it stated.
“Reacting immediately, Personal First Class Baker boldly moved between the enemy and his fallen comrades and, profiting from the terrain, commenced delivering fireplace which enabled the rest of his firm to deploy into efficient combating positions,” the quotation stated. “When a hostile soldier attacked one of many wounded Marines, Personal First Class Baker fearlessly charged ahead from his place and intercepted the attacker and killed the person in hand-to-hand fight.”
Baker then returned to his lined location and continued firing on the North Vietnamese troopers, who quickly started a disorganized withdrawal, the quotation stated.
“His heroic and well timed actions impressed all who noticed him and saved the lives of two Marines,” it stated. “By his braveness, daring initiative and selfless devotion to obligation within the face of grave private hazard, Personal First Class Baker was instrumental within the defeat of the enemy and upheld the best traditions of the Marine Corps and of the US Naval Service.”
‘Underneath the kitchen desk together with his handgun, ready for Charlie’
Baker grew up in Alabama, then moved to Detroit earlier than going to Vietnam, Folger stated.
“Whereas others dodged the draft to develop into bankers, attorneys and docs, my father left his roots as an architect and volunteered to enlist to go to Vietnam and do the nation’s bidding,” she stated.
Regardless of surviving his service in Vietnam, a part of Baker died there, Folger stated.
“He went to the Military a stable particular person and got here house a full-blown heroin addict,” she stated.
Baker was recognized for psychological well being causes as being completely disabled due to PTSD, Folger stated.
She stated the VA Well being Care system let her father down.
Baker “fought his demons day by day,” coping with drug habit and flashbacks, by which he relived his experiences in Vietnam, Folger stated.
“He was traumatized, and he traumatized others,” she stated.
Folger recalled how, as individuals of their neighborhood set off fireworks every Independence Day to have a good time the freedoms Baker had fought to take care of, “he would take cowl beneath the kitchen desk together with his handgun, ready for Charlie.”
‘A hero’s welcome in Heaven’
Baker was a husband and father of 4, who’s fondly remembered by his household, Folger stated.
She stated her father loved fishing, writing, cooking soul meals dinners, exercising with Bowflex health gear and enjoying together with his grandchildren, whereas having them do impressions of him.
Baker moved a 12 months or two in the past to dwell with one in all Folger’s cousins in Topeka, Folger stated.
Throughout his time right here, members of their household grew to become more and more involved about how a lot management Vicki Lee Shelton had gained over Baker’s life, she stated.
Folger stated Shelton and Baker weren’t in a relationship, however she did allege home abuse on Shelton’s half.
“He was a susceptible particular person, and he or she exploited that,” Folger stated.
Baker’s trigger and method of loss of life have not been made public. Folger is not positive she desires to know, she stated.
She shared these ideas concerning her father on her Fb web page:
“I hope you discovered the peace that eluded you on this life …
“You did not die over there however we all know items of you probably did …
“Sadly the federal government failed you while you bought house …
“Thanks for giving your life for this nation …
“I hope you bought a hero’s welcome in heaven.
“Fly Excessive.”
Tim Hrenchir might be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
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