FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Nicky Daniel Bacon ~ 09 September 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Nicky Daniel Bacon

(Info found here.)

           

 

 

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'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! 

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[PROCON]

Good evening Kathy and thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero!

[airborne]

I love that graphic!

Mind if I borrow it?

[radu]

Don’t mind at all.
I borrowed it myself. :-)

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Nicky Daniel Bacon ~

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[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

You know the musicians really love their jobs when the strings are dancing while they play! ;-)

Sesiones Desde La Loma. A tribute to Gilberto Santa Rosa. El Caballero De La Salsa: 14 minutes. The cover singer sounds a lot like Gilberto Santa Rosa!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

A little dreary and drizzly up there today. Good weather for all the ducks hanging out on Lake Hood. I counted 126 floating around together earlier today. Here’s hoping they’re going to head on south and not stick around to eat in your yard this winter! LOL

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Has the weatherman given y’all any hope of the heat moving off soon? I hope so!
We’ve had a little taste of Fall this weekend but summer comes back tomorrow.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...hope you’ve had a nice weekend.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Apache Gunship footage from Pilot Brian J Townsend July 13, 2008 The Battle of Wanat, Afghanistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSubyUNkA48

Live uncut footage from Apache Pilot Brian J Townsend from the Battle of Wanat on July 13, 2008

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...raking or mowing today, weather permitting?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Pro...our past must be remembered.

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

I got a little raking done but my back didn’t hold up as long as I hoped it would. Thankfully I was able to get it to pop back into place quickly. Had to sit a while to let everything calm down and now I think I can handle throwing something together for supper. I’m hawngree!

Getting close to having everything ready for tomorrow morning?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, airborne...hope your summer has gone well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Ready for the new week?

I’m working on getting ready.

[luvie]

Nicky Daniel "Nick" Bacon
November 25, 1945 - July 17, 2010
was a US Army First Sergeant from the Americal Division.
Served during the Vietnam War.
Medal of Honor Recipient
...For actions in combat in Tam Ky, Vietnam.
What a brave hero he was, Night Owls!

[MoochPooch]

Weekend was pleasant. Will miss the summer nights, though.