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

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

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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! 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha, Hawaii....the Aleutians seem to be doing a lot of shakin'. A 6+ last evening, and LOTS of lesser ones.

Little wahines this weekend? How is son doing?

[oldteen]

G’night TAZ. Safe journey. Have a great tomorrow!! *hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Taz...((HUGS))...still short handed?

[Cindy]

Hi Kathy, it was nice and sunny and after church and lunch, I took a nap for awhile.

That was good, too.

I’m glad you’re getting some rain — keep the fire hazard a bit down.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Just back....only one visitor today. I’d like to kick her son across the room. Said she had a good day, got to take a shower. She starts about an hour before they come to redress her legs. She takes the bandages off, showers, and they come and redress. She heard the voice of her night nurse and was pleased. She did NOT like the day nurse, Bob. She rang for pain meds.....15 minutes or so later, called again while in tears. They said they called the nurse. Took forever. She was not pleased.

Oh, she got a recliner and actually fell asleep. Sitting up is a little harder to sleep. She has to work at finding the right place that allows the right breathing.

HJ...she knew about the A1C thing...she had her first on in March and has to wait 6 months for the second.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and safe journey, Taz...((HUGS))

[oldteen]

There seems to be some who do not belong in the profession of taking care of others! Happens more than we realize. Very sad! Sounds like it is easier for her to remove the dressing then to let them do it. That's a plus. Her son not doing right by his Mother I take it? Lots of them around as well. Very, VERY, sad!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[Kathy in Alaska]

He LIVES with her. He could at least call. d:o(

Weatherman just said more rain this week. Low 60s tomorrow.

[oldteen]

He LIVES with her. He could at least call.

Now that, is really sad!

[MoochPooch]

Alas, none. Just finished a newsletter that sucked my soul.
Anyway, time for bed. Nighty-night.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yes it is....I’ll cut him a little slack, but darn little, being too busy during the week to visit, but no slack at all for not calling.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Nighty-night....sleep well.

[oldteen]

You're a better person than I am as I would cut him no slack if he is in the same town. Can't be that busy! But, that's just me.

I need to scoot. Don't stay up too late :). Have a great Monday! G'night! *hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

d:o) I’m trying to be charitable for her sake. I’m not doing very well at it.

Good night and sleep well, teen. *HUGS* I’m trying for earlier tonight, too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Mayor. Thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Horrible, horrible train crash. Prayers for all involved.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

Spc Matthew J Johnson, USA
27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne),
20th Engineer Brigade (Combat)

Amazing Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?