Harvey Baker saved the lives of 2 Marines in Vietnam War. He was killed Thursday in Topeka.

Harvey Lee Baker was a decorated Vietnam War veteran credited with saving the lives of two fellow Marines.

"He was a war hero, and he was murdered," Baker's daughter, Nicole Folger, told The Capital-Journal.

Baker, 74, was found deceased Thursday at a North Topeka mobile home park.

Vicki Lee Shelton, 61, was being held on a $1 million bond in connection with intentional and premeditated first-degree murder Sunday morning at the Shawnee County Jail.

No formal charges have been filed.

'Intercepted the attacker and killed the man in hand-to-hand combat'

Baker received a Silver Star for valor displayed on Feb. 26, 1969, while serving in Vietnam, Folger told The Capital-Journal on Saturday in a phone call from her home in Burlington, Okla.

Baker, who was a private first class in the Marines, was taking part at the time in a search and destroy operation in a dense jungle area, according to his citation.

Heavy small arms fire and anti-personnel mines detonated by a North Vietnamese Army unit, which was occupying a well-concealed position, mortally wounded two of the Marines who were with Baker while seriously injuring two others, it said.

"Reacting instantly, Private First Class Baker boldly moved between the enemy and his fallen comrades and, taking advantage of the terrain, commenced delivering fire which enabled the remainder of his company to deploy into effective fighting positions," the citation said. "When a hostile soldier attacked one of the wounded Marines, Private First Class Baker fearlessly charged forward from his position and intercepted the attacker and killed the man in hand-to-hand combat."

Baker then returned to his covered location and continued firing at the North Vietnamese soldiers, who soon began a disorganized withdrawal, the citation said.

"His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and saved the lives of two Marines," it said. "By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Private First Class Baker was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

'Under the kitchen table with his handgun, waiting for Charlie'

Baker grew up in Alabama, then moved to Detroit before going to Vietnam, Folger said.

While others dodged the draft to become bankers, lawyers and doctors, Harvey Baker left his roots as an architect and volunteered to enlist to go to Vietnam and do the nation's bidding, said Baker's son, Harvey Lee Baker Jr., on Facebook.

Despite surviving his service in Vietnam, part of Baker died there, Folger said.

"He went to the Army a solid individual and came home a full-blown heroin addict," she said.

Baker was identified for mental health reasons as being permanently disabled due to PTSD, Folger said.

She said the VA Health Care system let her father down.

Baker was a husband and father of four, who is fondly remembered by his family, Folger said.

Harvey Baker enjoyed fishing, writing, cooking soul food dinners, exercising with Bowflex fitness equipment and playing with his grandchildren, while having them do impressions of him, according to Harvey Baker Jr.

He said he father "fought his demons every day," coping with flashbacks in which he relived his experiences in Vietnam.

"He was traumatized, and he traumatized others," said Harvey Baker Jr.

He recalled how, as people in their neighborhood set off fireworks each Independence Day to celebrate the freedoms the senior Baker had fought to maintain, "he would take cover under the kitchen table with his handgun, waiting for Charlie."

Harvey Baker Jr. said that because of his father's issues, he felt called to help veterans.

"Due to his instability, I was never fully able to get in front of him, and will likely always regret not being able to do more for him," he said. "All of my memories are good with him. I know he was getting older, and none of us are making it out of here, but the circumstance was a total blindside. The one who I could never help is the one who made me who I am today."

Harvey Baker Jr. is an assistant territory manager for Elite Fundraising Solutions, which has started a memorial fund for his father. The company partners with charities such as Folds of Honor and For the Fallen to raise money for veterans with PTSD to get counseling, prosthetics, service animals, financial aid or scholarships. His in-house agency offers pro bono, one-on-one financial advising and career counseling remotely to veterans.

'A hero's welcome in Heaven'

The senior Baker moved a year or two ago to live with one of Folger's cousins in Topeka, Folger said.

During his time here, members of their family became increasingly concerned about how much control Vicki Lee Shelton had gained over Baker's life, she said.

Folger said Shelton and Baker weren't in a relationship, but she did allege domestic abuse on Shelton's part.

"He was a vulnerable individual, and she exploited that," Folger said.

Baker's cause and manner of death haven't been made public. Folger isn't sure she wants to know, she said.

She shared these thoughts regarding her father on her Facebook page:

"I hope you found the peace that eluded you in this life ...

"You didn't die over there but we know pieces of you did ...

"Unfortunately the government failed you when you got home ...

"Thank you for giving your life for this country ...

"I hope you got a hero's welcome in heaven.

"Fly High."

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka homicide victim Harvey Baker endured PTSD after Vietnam War