FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Nicky Daniel Bacon ~ July 19, 2010

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Nicky Daniel Bacon

(Info found here.)

           

On Saturday, July 17th, another Medal of Honor recipient left us to guard the streets of heaven.  Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.

 

 

Nicky Daniel "Nick" Bacon (November 25, 1945 – July 17, 2010) was a United States Army first sergeant from the Americal Division who served during the Vietnam War. For his actions in combat in Tam Ky, Vietnam, Bacon was awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Bacon was born in Caraway, Arkansas, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Phoenix, Arizona. He reached the rank of staff sergeant while serving his second combat tour in Vietnam as part of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. On August 26, 1968, while commanding a squad of the first platoon of Company B, 4th Battalion in an operation west of Tam Ky, Bacon and his unit came under fire from enemy positions. While Bacon destroyed these positions with hand grenades, his platoon leader was wounded in open ground. Assuming command, Bacon led the platoon to destroy the remaining enemy emplacements.

When the third platoon of Bravo Company lost their own leader, Bacon took command of that platoon as well as his own and led both platoons against enemy positions. During the evacuation of the wounded, Bacon climbed the side of a nearby tank to gain a vantage point and direct fire into enemy positions, despite his exposure to enemy fire. He was personally credited with killing at least 4 enemy soldiers and destroying an anti-tank gun.

For his actions in this battle, Bacon was awarded the Medal of Honor. For his distinguished military service in Vietnam and throughout his career, he also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars (with combat "V"), the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations.

After the war, Bacon continued to serve in the Army until his retirement as a first sergeant. He later served as president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Director of Veterans' Affairs for the State of Arkansas. In the 1990s he traveled to Vietnam as part of a POW/MIA task force and traveled to Israel at the invitation of Jewish veterans, urging the Israeli government not to cede the Golan Heights to Syria. Bacon also became a veterans' advocate.

Bacon died July 17, 2010, at his home in Rose Bud, Arkansas.

 

Bacon's official citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky. When Company B came under fire from an enemy bunker line to the front, S/Sgt. Bacon quickly organized his men and led them forward in an assault. He advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. As he did so, several fellow soldiers including the 1st Platoon leader, were struck by machine gun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon. S/Sgt. Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort. When the 3d Platoon moved to S/Sgt. Bacon's location, its leader was also wounded. Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight. In the ensuing action he personally killed 4 more enemy soldiers and silenced an antitank weapon. Under his leadership and example, the members of both platoons accepted his authority without question. Continuing to ignore the intense hostile fire, he climbed up on the exposed deck of a tank and directed fire into the enemy position while several wounded men were evacuated. As a result of S/Sgt. Bacon's extraordinary efforts, his company was able to move forward, eliminate the enemy positions, and rescue the men trapped to the front. S/Sgt. Bacon's bravery at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

Howdy! Texas is doin’ ok. We’re hot but not miserable...yet.
It was probably 95 at most and the breeze was comfortable
when I was outdoors a bit ago.

I saw where you WERE miserable!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, teen...*HUGS*...any relief from the heat? Only 2 digits?

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed All That We Could Live In Freedom!!

[luvie]

Awww, man! Ya had to work? That’s bad!

Thanks for all your posts that remind us of our military’s
sacrifices for us! (((hugs)))

[oldteen]

You poor thing :(

[oldteen]

Down to 2 digits from the earlier 3. Suppose to stay under the century mark the rest of the week. I sure hope they’re right! I can’t keep enough water on my poor miserable lawn. It drinks it waaay too fast and the water co. charges waaay to much!

[oldteen]

If we could get a breeze I would be happy. We had winds at 18mph today and with the heat it just made it feel hotter. Can’t wait for the delta breeze to kick in and reach us!

[Kathy in Alaska]

United States Marine Corps Band ~ National Anthem

[luvie]

Ugh. Those hot dry winds nearly take the skin off your face!

Been there!

[Arrowhead1952]

Well, had a few minutes to check in. Off to the sack now.

[ConorMacNessa]

AMERICA – LAND OF THE FREE . . .

BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!!!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[oldteen]

G’night Arrowhead....sleep well. Have a great tomorrow!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh my...your poor lawn, and you too.

[SevenofNine]

Look like Chia Pet is at again

RodrigoBNO N. Korea appears to have started water discharge from border dam, Seoul gov’t tells Yonhap

Latest report about train collusion 35 are confirmed dead

SkyNews Train Collision In India Kills At Least 35 http://bit.ly/aLKGRd

[PROCON]

You poor thing :(

Yeah, but someone has to bare it!!

I might have to keep my long-sleeve shirt on until noon!!

Oh, the humanity!!

[ConorMacNessa]

THE TORCH IS PASSED.

“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

President John F. Kennedy

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[oldteen]

I might have to keep my long-sleeve shirt on until noon!!

Absolutely! Would not want you to get a horrible sunburn!

[Kathy in Alaska]

He was quite a soldier, wasn’t he? A hero for sure.

[ConorMacNessa]

Must retire - the quotidian 0500 Reveille and Monday morning weigh-in await me. Good night, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[luvie]

G’night, Arrow! Good to see you anytime!

Hope you have a good week and it doesn’t get unbearably hot!